Key takeaways:
- SpaceX conducted a test flight of its next-generation rocket, the Starship, at its flight test facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
- The uncrewed rocket lifted off and blasted skyward for about four minutes, but the separation of the booster from the spacecraft failed, causing the rocket to tumble downward before exploding.
- Despite the explosion, the test flight was considered a success by SpaceX and the company is now looking ahead to the next test flight.
On Thursday, April 20th, 2023, SpaceX conducted a test flight of its next-generation rocket, the Starship, at its flight test facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The 500-foot-tall rocket was loaded with nearly 10 million pounds of liquid oxygen and explosive liquid natural gas.
At 8:28 a.m. local time (9:28 a.m. ET), the uncrewed rocket lifted off and blasted skyward for about four minutes. However, the separation of the booster from the spacecraft failed, causing the rocket to tumble downward before exploding.
Despite the explosion, the test flight was considered a success by SpaceX. The cause of the explosion and failure of the separation was not immediately known.
SpaceX employees gathered to watch a livestream of the launch and cheered as the rocket lifted off. The company has been developing the Starship for missions to the moon and Mars.
The test flight was a crucial step in the development of the Starship, and SpaceX is now looking ahead to the next test flight. The company is confident that the Starship will eventually be able to reach its intended destinations.
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