Successful test launch of the world's most powerful rocket

Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever built, successfully launched in a test at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, at 7:50 p.m. on June 6, Hanoi time.

The Starship launch system includes the Starship spacecraft on the upper stage and the Super Heavy booster rocket. During launch, a total of 32 of the vehicle's 33 engines fired.

During this test flight, Starship passed many important milestones, including after experiencing extreme temperatures in the Earth's atmosphere, the Starship capsule was intact, both the capsule and boosters landed safely.

After separating from the spacecraft, the Super Heavy rocket successfully processed the engine burn for the first time, helping it land and land gently in the Gulf of Mexico about 8 minutes after launch.

Meanwhile, the Starship capsule also completed the process of flying into orbit. The spacecraft begins a controlled reentry, about 50 minutes after launch. The Starship is protected by 18,000 ultra-light hexagonal ceramic panels during reentry.

In this fourth test, SpaceX aims to move closer to the future of rapid reuse of launch vehicles.

In 2023, Starship conducted its first two test flights that brought the ship to orbital speed and ended with explosions, in which the spacecraft and boosters burned before reaching the ground.

The third test flight, which lasted nearly an hour in March 2024, broke into many pieces after gyration but also reached a number of milestones. The Super Heavy booster was also lost.

During the fourth flight on June 6, the engine's software and hardware were both updated and had many changes. Starship also has additional thrusters to prevent unexpected vibrations like in the third flight.

Starship is the 'most powerful' rocket ever developed by humans. Starship is 120 m long and is expected to be used to send people and goods to the Moon and even Mars in the future.

Starship has also been 'ordered' by the US Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the next mission to send people to the Moon. Many customers also choose Starship for future trips to the Moon.

David Pac

Update 08 June 2024