SpaceX has successfully completed a test flight of its Starship mega-rocket, just a week after a failed attempt during which several engines failed to fire immediately after launch.
The 13th test flight, known as Flight 13, achieved several important technical objectives before the upper part of the Starship spacecraft ended the mission with a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean, CNN reported.
The Super Heavy booster rocket, which separated from the Starship about two minutes after liftoff, also made a controlled return and completed the landing in the Persian Gulf. “I’m losing my mind right now,” said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot, as the live stream continued through the Starship’s descent.
He described the landing as a “dream scenario,” noting that it was the first time the company had successfully returned an intact Starship to the water. “The number 13 is lucky,” Huot declared, referring to the fact that this was the 13th flight of a complete Starship system combined with the Super Heavy rocket. This was only the second test flight of the new Starship V3 version.
During the first test in May, several engine problems caused a loss of performance and led to the failure of the mission. SpaceX is working under pressure to prepare Starship for a major NASA test scheduled for next year. The mission is seen as a significant step toward using the rocket for future trips to the Moon. The latest flight was also SpaceX’s first as a publicly traded company.
The failure of the previous test negatively affected the value of the company’s shares, which continue to trade below their initial public offering (IPO) price. /Telegraph