SpaceX Faces a Failed Mission As Prototype Crashes Into the Earth

Jan, 2021 - By WMR

Starship’s prototype could not reach Mars, instead crashed in an explosion due to engine shutdown and high-speed landing.

SpaceX rocket Starship's prototype was about to be launched on 10th December 2020 from the Texas coast. However unfortunately SpaceX's dream of reaching Mars remained unsuccessful; as the prototype crashed in a huge fiery explosion during the test launch. According to Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, the crash happened due to the fast landing speed. He has recounted the rocket parts which have been successful including the take-off, position change during flight, and the precise landing trajectory before the explosion. He says that SpaceX has got all the data they need for the success of the Mars mission.

During the test launch, the rocket ascended properly in a straight line and was fine until two of its engines shut down, followed by the third engine, which went out during the flight after 4 minutes and 45 seconds. Due to this, the rocket started to descend in the expected position. Even though the engines were restarted in order to slow down the landing speed, the rocket still crashed into the Earth. SpaceX had also conducted test series where smaller prototypes have also blasted off into the air soon after taking off. The organization says this has enabled them in taking a step closer to design the next-generation rockets.

Elon Musk is very affirmative that soon SpaceX will be able to launch several of these spaceships to Mars. The construction of the next prototype, the SN9 is almost complete. The experimental flights will be taking place in a nearly deserted part of southern Texas, near the border of the US and Mexico. The empty area is enough to endure any flight malfunction, which is fatal enough to cause physical or property damage. According to SpaceX's plan, the future Starship rocket will consist of 37 engines instead of 9, will be as high as 390 feet, and will be able to carry cargo weighing up to 100 tons.