The worlds most powerful and largest space transport system so far in history underwent its second integrated flight test. While not meeting its most optimistic milestones, it more than met its test objectives.
Whatever you think about Musk or Space in general this is an important step along a path that will change how we work in space, That has the potential to alter society in ways we can only imagine and will certainly impact us in unexpected ways.
It began with a very quick turnaround that delayed the launch by a day. They were able to replace a component that required the system to be destacked and restacked in a day. In comparison almost every other system in the world would have required the rocket to be rolled off the pad and back to an assembly building and take probably weeks.
Countdown followed a nominal routine with only a brief delay at the hold point for a recheck of pressure readings.
Once past the hold liftoff went according to sequence, the fire suppression at the top of the launch stand firing its mist of water and Nitrogen, the water deluge system then engaged shortly before all 33 engines fired and the system leaped into the sky. At that point it had already surpassed the first test and met the minimal success goal.
The system continued on a nominal path through stage separation. This was the “Hot Staging” version that may lead to larger payloads. That success meant that the test had met all its main goals. From that point on everything else was an addition to requirements and can be used to move on from the basics.
Everything else from here on out is speculation from what I can see and is in two parts the Super Heavy booster and Starship.
The hot stage separation looks to have worked as proposed. The booster shut down all but three engines and Starship fired off its six to 50% successfully, With Starship then throttling up to full power and flying away nominally , Super Heavy began its flip and boost back. While we don’t yet know exactly what happened from there, what I could see the the six other engines needed for the boost back never reignited. Shortly after the automated FTS (flight termination system) engaged and destroyed the booster. Even that went well unlike the first test in April.
Starship continued on as expected towards its planned trajectory reaching space. It appears shortly after engine shutdown there was a loss of telemetry and its FTS engaged ending the test.
While we will have to wait for a full analysis in the coming days and an inspection of the ground systems, this test must have Spacex, NASA and the FAA pleased. That probably means a pretty rapid turnaround for the next test flight, maybe even yet this year as SpaceX has its next Booster and Starship all but ready.
