SpaceX's latest mission, featuring Ship 29 and Booster 11, unfolded with breathtaking precision and unexpected twists. From engine shutdowns to plasma entry heating, this mission kept space enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Let's dive into the details of this remarkable journey.
Starship lifting off from Starbase, Texas Pic Credit: SpaceX
Lift-Off and Ascent
Ship 29 and Booster 11 launched right on schedule, with no holds. However, Booster 11 encountered an engine shutdown shortly after ignition. Despite this setback, the booster continued its ascent, performing flawlessly. Hotstaging and stage separation proceeded nominally, and Ship 29 entered a (sub)orbit.
Booster Splashdown
As Ship 29 cruised in orbit, Booster 11 executed a nominal boost back burn and jettisoned the Hot Stage Ring. The real surprise came during re-entry: The booster successfully fired its engines after plummeting back to Earth from over 100 kilometres up, slowing from over 4000 kilometres per hour to a hover just metres above the sea and achieved the first-ever soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Its Raptors dipped gracefully into the water, marking a historic achievement.
Ship 29 Faces the Heat
Ship 29's entry into Earth's atmosphere was no less dramatic. Plasma formed around the spacecraft, reminiscent of science fiction dreams. But reality prevailed—the Ship successfully passed peak entry heating. However, trouble loomed as the forward flap exhibited signs of stress, eventually breaking apart. Starship reached orbit at an altitude of over 200 km and travelled at more than 27,000 km per hour. During its descent back to Earth, at around 60 km above the surface, livestream video from SpaceX showed apparent damage to one of its four control fins, and the camera lens appeared to crack.
Despite the flap's partial loss, Ship 29 maintained control. Velocity decreased, altitude dropped, and on-screen attitude data caused a few heart-stopping moments. But the Ship held steady, defying the odds.
Plasma buildup around starship during its screeching hot re-entry into the thicker part of atmosphere Pic Credit: SpaceX
A Nose-Up Landing
The grand finale awaited: the landing burn. Ship 29, battered but resilient, executed a flip, ignited its Raptors, and touched down softly in the Indian Ocean—with its nose pointing up. "Splashdown confirmed!" SpaceX posted on social media after the flight.
There were no people on board the fourth Starship spaceflight. The company's leadership has previously emphasized that SpaceX expects to fly hundreds of Starship missions before the rocket launches with any crew. The mission's success showcased SpaceX's engineering prowess and the indomitable spirit of exploration.
The Starship system is designed to be fully reusable and aims to become a new method of flying cargo and people beyond Earth. The rocket is also critical to NASA's plan to return astronauts to the moon. SpaceX won a multibillion-dollar contract from the agency to use Starship as a crewed lunar lander as part of NASA's Artemis moon program.
Shortly after the flight, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX on its progress.
"We are another step closer to returning humanity to the Moon through Artemis — then looking onward to Mars," Nelson wrote in a social media post.
Musk posted on social media: “Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!”
While praising the resilience of the steel structure of Starship he said," We will further hone our SX300 alloy to withstand even higher temperatures." On the question of the number of iteration it'd take for them to catch the booster using the catch tower aka mechazilla, he said, "I think we should try to catch the booster with the mechazilla arms next flight!"
The SpaceX team also celebrated this achievement.
Ship 29 and Booster 11's journey will be remembered as a testament to human ingenuity and determination. As we celebrate this achievement, we eagerly await the next chapter in space exploration.
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