Last week, the private rocket company SpaceX came as close as it ever went to making a smooth landing of a reusable heavy cargo rocket that it hopes to send someday to the moon and Mars.
The SN10 Starship released from SpaceX’s facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, last Wednesday, rising to an altitude of more than 32,000 feet before returning to Earth on a controlled descent.
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When the spacecraft landed in its landing area without perishing in a fireball like its two predecessors, it appeared that SpaceX hit one of the most challenging processes in making a reusable and economical rocket.
Minutes later, the stainless steel rocket was destroyed in a blast of fire.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk explained on Tuesday that the rocket landed at a very high speed.
“The SN10 engine had a low thrust due (probably) to the partial intake of helium from the fuel collection tank. Impact of 10m / s [22 miles per hour] crushed legs and part of the skirt ”, he tweeted.
A closer look at the SN10’s landing shows that it was tilted slightly to one side before it exploded.
Musk went on to explain that the helium intake was probably the result of a pressurization system that was added to the methane collection tank to correct a problem that occurred in a previous prototype SN8 spacecraft.
“If autogenous pressurization had been used, the CH4 bubbles would probably have reverted to the liquid,” he said. “Helium on the platform was used to prevent the collapse of the expansion volume due to the splash, which happened on the previous flight. My fault for approving. It looked good at the time. “
The test, however, was still hailed as a success when the SN10 landed and remained whole for much longer than two previous prototypes that exploded on impact.
Losing little time, another prototype of a starship nicknamed SN11 was launched on the launch pad this week.
SpaceX has not yet said exactly when the next flight test will take place, but NASASpaceFlight.com He projected that the rocket could be ready to go next week.
Before the SN11 was placed on the launch pad, SpaceX employees were seen testing the spacecraft’s legs.
“Various working solutions for SN11,” Musk tweeted.
Musk said this week that the Starship will be ready to launch humans into orbit and beyond by 2023.
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