The upper stage Starship spacecraft experienced a stronger-than-expected harmonic response, according to astatementfrom SpaceX.
By harmonic response, engineers mean vibrations amplified by resonance.
The upper stage ignited its own Raptor engines as it separated from the booster.
Debris from a Starship rocket over Turks & Caicos.© The Independent/YouTube
Things didnt go as swimmingly for the Starships second stage.
Sensors in the attic detected a pressure rise indicative of a leak after the flash was seen.
Communication was then lost with the ship.
The vehicle was observed to break apart approximately three minutes after loss of contact during descent.
Post-flight analysis indicates that the safety system did trigger autonomously, and breakup occurred within Flight Termination System expectations.
No injuries were reported, though residents said they foundremnantsof the rocket on their properties and along local beaches.
Starship is a super-heavy lift launch vehicle that has a key role in NASAs future plans.
One planned variant would take astronauts to the Moon as part of the space agencys Artemis program.
Others would be capable of transporting huge amounts of cargo, such as Starlink satellites, into orbit.
The rockets next test launch is currently scheduled for Friday, February 28.
Vents and a purge system were also added to the attic to make it more fire resistant.
Rockets are incredibly complicated, and several of the Starship tests have ended with mishaps.
The first, in April 2023, led tomassive damage to the launch pad.
The rocket itself blew up around four minutes into its flight.
Clearly, though, there are still kinks that need to be worked out.
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