SpaceX's Uncrewed Starship Explodes on Launch Attempt

[Meatpie]

After liftoff, SpaceX's Starship exploded in midair on first launch attempt just minutes ago.

The most powerful rocket ever constructed is uncrewed.

"Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unplanned disassembly," an official said on the broadcast.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship rocket blows up minutes after launch

Largest and most powerful rocket ever built blasts off on test flight that is hoped to be step on human journey to Mars

www.theguardian.com

 

[Me2u1time]

Actually rather misleading. The goal was to launch, and it was achieved. The first stage functioned properly, albeit with 6 or 7 of the 32 engines out, and completed it's mission through shutoff. Then, there was an odd maneuver to separate the Starship capsule and allow the main engine first stage to return to Earth. This is where things went wrong. For some reason, the stage separation process failed to occur, leaving the entire rocket spinning. The G-forces resulted in the breakup of the ship, after which the fuel in the second stage caused an explosion. Contrary to what the media reports seem to indicate, the Starship support crews were cheering their success of this first ever live test of the main engines in the first stage. They stated prior to launch "Our goal is to clear the tower, anything more than that is a bonus. There's a 50/50 chance of making orbit. You know it's going to be exciting either way!" They were cheering their success even after the breakup. They have more rockets ready. They will study the data and learn from it.