Get the latest tech news

SpaceX Starship Blasts Off In Ninth Test Flight


SpaceX's Starship Flight 9 successfully launched and reached space -- marking the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster -- but both rocket stages were ultimately lost mid-mission due to a "rapid unscheduled disassembly." SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a statement: "Starship made it to the scheduled shi...

SpaceX's Starship Flight 9 successfully launched and reached space -- marking the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster -- but both rocket stages were ultimately lost mid-mission due to a "rapid unscheduled disassembly." "By increasing the amount of atmospheric drag on the vehicle, a higher angle of attack can result in a lower descent speed, which in turn requires less propellant for the initial landing burn," SpaceX wrote in the mission preview. "Getting real-world data on how the booster is able to control its flight at this higher angle of attack will contribute to improved performance on future vehicles, including the next generation of Super Heavy."

Get the Android app

Or read this on Slashdot

Read more on:

Photo of starship

starship

Photo of ninth test flight

ninth test flight

Related news:

News photo

SpaceX’s ninth test flight of Starship launches into space, ends in a spin

News photo

SpaceX gets FAA permission for fivefold increase in Starship launches from Texas

News photo

SpaceX Took a Big Step Toward Reusing Starship’s Super Heavy Booster