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2021-03-04 Science & Technology

SpaceX rocket explodes after successfully landing after high-altitude flight

[THEHILL] SpaceX’s Starship prototype landed for the first time after a high-altitude test flight Wednesday but went kaboom! shortly thereafter.

The prototype, Starship rocket Serial Number 10, was not carrying any passengers or crew at the time of the earth-shattering kaboom, according to CNBC. Two previous test prototypes have went kaboom! on impact while attempting to land, although after first completing objectives like aerodynamics tests and engine shutdowns.

The SN10 flight successfully fired all of its three engines and shut them down in sequence and was able to slow its engines down enough to land, while the earlier test flights went kaboom! after they were unable to slow down in time. The cause of the earth-shattering kaboom this time around remains unknown.

"The Texas team has several more suborbital test vehicles in build, with number 11 ready to roll out to the pad in the very near future," SpaceX principal integration engineer John Insprucker said, according to CNBC.

Posted by Fred 2021-03-04 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1
Can't wait for the 4th of July,

BLNT (Better Luck Next Time)

Posted by Ottoman Hull8306 2021-03-04 01:06|| 2021-03-04 01:06|| Front Page Top

#2 It looks like it landed hard (reports it bounced on touch down), but SpaceX says it was a good landing. There was a fire at the base of the rocket after landing, and IMHO that likely weakened the main tanks until they breached and the remaining fumes popped.

The next test rocket, SN-11, is already built, they're assembling SN-15 (12, 13, and 14 are being skipped) and BN-1. BN-1 is the first main stage test vehicle; the SN rockets are all second stage tests.

Posted by Rob Crawford 2021-03-04 07:16|| 2021-03-04 07:16|| Front Page Top

#3 I wonder if Mr. Biden can spell 'KABOOM'.

Posted by irish rage boy 2021-03-04 10:56|| 2021-03-04 10:56|| Front Page Top

#4 #2 yes, I thought that as well. Hard landing even a bounce.

Posted by Dale 2021-03-04 12:34|| 2021-03-04 12:34|| Front Page Top

#5 Better investors' dollars than my tax dollars.

Posted by Clem 2021-03-04 13:42|| 2021-03-04 13:42|| Front Page Top

#6 Jayne said it best... don't wanna explode.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2021-03-04 13:53|| 2021-03-04 13:53|| Front Page Top

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