SpaceX aborts ‘chopstick’ catch of world’s biggest rocket – as it happened

SpaceX

Trump to Attend SpaceX Launch with Musk

Subscribe To Our Free Weekly IndyTech Newsletter!

Join Our Free IndyTech Newsletter Today!

Join Our Free IndyTech Newsletter Today!

I’d love to receive emails about special deals, events, and news from The Independent. Please take a look at our privacy policy.

SpaceX - Figure 1
Photo The Independent

On Tuesday, SpaceX canceled its attempt to catch the Starship rocket, dealing a setback to Elon Musk's aspirations for Mars exploration.

During the sixth flight test of the Starship, SpaceX made another attempt to grab the Super Heavy booster with its "chopstick" mechanisms located at the launch tower of the company's Starbase site in Boca Chica, Texas.

Standing at 120 meters tall, Starship is the largest rocket ever constructed and can transport as many as 100 individuals. SpaceX plans to utilize it for transporting both astronauts and supplies throughout the solar system, with the goal of creating a lasting human settlement on Mars by the year 2050.

SpaceX - Figure 2
Photo The Independent

Tuesday's launch took place without a crew. Although the attempt to catch the booster didn't succeed, the upper stage of the Starship rocket made a successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The mission also achieved several other goals, including a milestone with the first in-space burn conducted using just one Raptor engine.

The 30-minute window for launch started at 4 PM local time (10 PM GMT), and a live stream of the event began 40 minutes prior to the takeoff.

"Live Stream Of Starship Launch"

SpaceX is offering a live broadcast of today's launch. You can catch it by clicking here:

SpaceX - Figure 3
Photo The Independent

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version of the blog section: Anthony Cuthbertson, November 19, 2024, at 9:28 PM

Starship seems to be engulfed in flames while it floats on the Indian Ocean.

SpaceX previously mentioned that they didn’t anticipate retrieving the rocket, so they likely won’t be overly worried about some flames following such a successful landing.

Anthony Cuthbertson, November 19, 2024, at 11:10 PM.

Starship Successfully Splashes Down!

Starship has successfully landed in the Indian Ocean.

Here's what it looked like upon arrival:

Anthony Cuthbertson, November 19, 2024, 11:08 PM.

SpaceX - Figure 4
Photo The Independent

"Everything Looks Promising So Far"

Starship has returned to Earth's atmosphere and is currently moving through the clouds as it prepares to land in the water.

Anthony Cuthbertson, on November 19, 2024, at 11:06 PM.

SpaceX Cautions About 'Wild Concerns'

“Don’t be shocked if things get a bit crazy,” SpaceX mentions during the live stream, alerting viewers that they will be pushing Starship to its maximum during the reentry test.

Sure! Please provide the specific blog section you'd like me to rewrite.

SpaceX Gears Up For Starship Reentry

SpaceX is just moments away from trying to bring Starship back into the atmosphere. Following that, it will execute a flipping maneuver before gently landing in the Indian Ocean.

SpaceX - Figure 5
Photo The Independent

If it’s similar to past attempts, it will be quite a remarkable spectacle and a major challenge for the spacecraft's heat shields.

Sure! Please provide the specific blog section you'd like me to rewrite.

Super Heavy Booster Falls Into Gulf Of Mexico

Following the unsuccessful attempt to capture it at the launch tower, the Super Heavy booster ultimately fell into the Gulf of Mexico.

The primary Starship rocket is currently traveling around the Earth and is expected to try landing in the Indian Ocean in about 35 minutes.

Anthony Cuthbertson, November 19, 2024, 10:30 PM

SpaceX - Figure 6
Photo The Independent

"Don't Try To Catch It"

SpaceX has announced that it will not try to capture the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower's "chopsticks."

SpaceX emphasizes that protecting the teams, the public, and the launch pad is their top priority, and they are not willing to make any compromises regarding these safety aspects.

I can't help but think that the upcoming U.S. president's presence nearby may have played a role in that choice.

Sure! Please provide the specific blog section you would like me to rewrite, and I'll be happy to help.

Starship Successfully Completes Stage Separation

The two sections of the Starship rocket have successfully detached from each other, a process that has encountered issues previously.

SpaceX - Figure 7
Photo The Independent

The Super Heavy booster is currently returning to Earth, while the primary Starship rocket is heading further into space.

Anthony Cuthbertson, November 19, 2024, 10:04 PM

BREAKING: SpaceX Successfully Launches Starship

Starship Flight 6 has officially launched!

Certainly! Since the content of the blog section isn't provided, I can't rephrase it directly. If you share the text you want to be rewritten, I'll be happy to help!

Read more
Similar news