The risky maneuver that Starship could perform for the first time on his next flight

The risky maneuver that Starship could perform for the first time on his next flight

‘Guaranteed emotion’ is the phrase with which Spacex The publication of each flight plan of Starshipthe gigantic reusable rocket with which Elon Musk hopes to bring humanity first to the Moonas part of the program Artemis of the POTand then Mars. The plan of the next number 9 trial flight is not yet known, but of course it will honor the chascarrillo. It is expected by the end of this month, when the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States give approval, and more details are being known.

The last rumor is about A super heavy maneuver so risky That, for the first time from flight 5, Spacex will not land again the propeller in the Starbase launch tower, but will merit in the Atlantic.

After the optimism generated by flights 5 and 6 of Starship, The 7 and 8 have been, at least, frustrating. While Spacex has managed to demonstrate its ability to return the huge propeller 70 meters high to ground, STARSHIP V2used on flights 7 and 8, has had worse luck.

On both flights, The spacecraft self -destroyed within a few minutes of separating from the first stageSuper Heavy, after various failures. Flight 9 will be the third time on which Spacex tests the Starship V2 variant, and a third failure, when Starship V1 managed I would question Elon Musk’s program.

Reuse Super Heavy and merit 275 tons with only 2 Raptor engines

You might think that these circumstances make the next mission a profile to go more to sure, but that is not the same thing about Elon Musk, A flag bearer of that philosophy of ‘breaking things’ to advance rapidly that is part of Spacex’s successbut that can also lead to serious mistakes. The next mission will not only have to demonstrate the viability of Starship V2, but also supposes Important challenges for propeller.

Spacex plans Reuse for the first time a super heavythe one that landed successfully in Starbase on flight 7 on January 16. This will have 4 new Raptor engines, but The remaining 29 will be the employees then. One of Spacex’s objectives with Starship is not just that both stages of the rocket are completely reusable, but can be launched immediately after returning to land, so this test is crucial. This aspect of the flight plan yes it has been confirmed by Spacex.

What is possible, but not sure, is a new challenge in the final phase of the propeller landing. Until now, when Super Heavy has maneuvered in the final phase to be held by Mechazilla’s arms on the ground, he has used 3 Raptor engines. On flight 9 I could use only 2, anticipating the event that one failswhich means controlling a mass of 275 tons, with exhausted fuel, with only 2 thirds of the power used so far.

Could you land with only 2? In Spacex they should not have it so clear, so this test would be carried out with amering in the Atlantic, To avoid possible damage to the launch tower if you are not expected.

The information comes from forums and specialized internet accounts, but It is not official. In any case, two weeks after finishing the month, we will soon know more details of flight 9 and we will know if it will be so.