The sixth test of the world’s most powerful rocket ‘Starship’ was successfully launched from Boca Chica, Texas on Wednesday (20/11/2024) at 3:30 am Indian time.
Key Points
Sixth test of Starship
- Launched from Boca Chica, Texas.
- Newly elected US President Donald Trump also watched the test.
Landing process
- An attempt was made to catch the booster on the launchpad.
- Due to technical reasons, the booster was landed in the water.
- Starship’s engine was restarted in space and landed in the Indian Ocean.
SpaceX’s success
- The ability to restart the engine is considered important for the company.
- In future, it will be used in deorbit burn.
Valuable data obtained
- Flying at a higher angle of attack provided data on flap control and thermal protection systems.
- This data will make it possible to improve the design and systems of Starship.
Key details of the fifth test
- Booster catch on the launchpad
- The fifth test of Starship took place on October 13.
- For the first time, the Super Heavy booster was sent 96 km up and brought back to the launchpad.
- The booster was caught by ‘McGilla’, which are two metal arms (like chopsticks).
Re-entry and landing
- Starship re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere and made a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean.
- At the time of re-entry, the speed reached 26,000 km/h and the temperature reached 1,430°C.
Starship and Super Heavy engines
- Starship has 6 Raptor engines and Super Heavy has 33 Raptor engines.
- Starship is a state-of-the-art rocket and spacecraft system designed and developed by SpaceX.
- It is designed for future interplanetary missions such as the Moon, Mars, and deep space exploration. Starship aims to carry heavy payloads and send humans safely into space.
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
- Founded by Elon Musk.
- Founded in 2002.
- It is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company.
- It is the first private company to launch a satellite (Dragon in 2010).
- SpaceX set a new world record by launching 143 satellites in a single mission.
Main features of Starship
Structure and design
- Super Heavy booster: Provides the initial thrust required for launch.
- Starship spacecraft: The main part carrying the payload and passengers.
- Both parts are made of stainless steel and are reusable.
Raptor Engine
- The Super Heavy booster has 33 Raptor engines.
- Starship has 6 Raptor engines.
- These engines use liquid methane and liquid oxygen.
Payload Capacity
- Starship can carry up to 150 tons of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO).
- It is designed to carry more than 100 passengers to Mars in the future.
Launch and Landing
- The Super Heavy booster is caught for reuse on Earth after launch.
- Starship is designed for a controlled landing by restarting its engines in space.
Re-entry System
- Starship uses a higher angle of attack when entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
- It handles the temperature through flap control and thermal protection systems.