Today’s test flight marked the top of a brief however gorgeous redemption arc for this model of Starship — dubbed Version 2 or V2.
“Every major objective of the flight test was achieved, providing valuable data as we prepare the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy,” a recap of Monday’s mission on SpaceX’s web site reads.
After thrice exploding mid-flight earlier this 12 months, Starship soared by its key targets in the present day — together with deploying mock satellites and relighting its engine whereas in house, repeating feats first achieved throughout V2’s first totally profitable test run in August.
But V2’s comeback is way from the total story. SpaceX has a protracted option to go earlier than the automobile is able to fly actual satellites — a lot much less land NASA astronauts on the moon.
Before Starship can get there, the corporate wants to hold out equally profitable however maybe tougher test flights of Starship Version 3, a scaled-up model of the automobile.
“The focus now turns to the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy, with multiple vehicles currently in active build and preparing for tests,” SpaceX’s web site assertion reads. “This next iteration will be used for the first Starship orbital flights, operational payload missions, propellant transfer, and more as we iterate to a fully and rapidly reusable vehicle with service to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”
Propellant switch is a key piece of the puzzle for SpaceX. Because of its monumental dimension and design, Starship have to be topped off with gasoline because it sits in Earth orbit in order to achieve the moon.
But such a feat has by no means been achieved earlier than.