A launcher that returns to its starting position to be reused immediately: this is SpaceX’s new ambition.
A delicate maneuver, since the first stage of the megarocket will have to be intercepted by immense mechanical arms on its return to the launch pad.
Follow this test flight live with us.
A daring bet. SpaceX must attempt a new and spectacular maneuver on Sunday: catching up with the first stage of its Starship megarocket using immense mechanical arms, during a new test flight which could represent a decisive step towards the reuse of this heavy launcher .
The two stages of the rocket – the largest and most powerful in the world – must at the end of its development be recovered and reused after each flight. A strategy aimed at being able to launch more machines more quickly, and for much less money.
Billionaire Elon Musk’s company aims to use Starship to colonize Mars. The development of the spacecraft is also closely monitored by NASA, which is counting on it to bring its astronauts back to the surface of the Moon.
Minute by minute
TAKEOFF IN TEN MINUTES
The launch of the rocket is approaching: despite the clouds, SpaceX experts say they are in optimal conditions to carry out “the test”.
MISSING PARTS ON THE MIDDLE OF STARSHIP?
Some tiles of the heat shield, reinforced for this takeoff, seem to be missing. This is actually a voluntary act to study the effect of heat at very specific locations on the rocket.
13:53
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER LAUNCH
“Thousands” of conditions will have to be met to carry out the risky maneuver that Elon Musk’s company hopes to succeed, namely recovering the first stage of the rocket at its very starting point. If they are not met, Super Heavy will follow a trajectory leading it to land in the Gulf of Mexico.
For its part, the Starship will continue its flight until landing in the Indian Ocean. It had for the first time successfully landed gently in this ocean during the previous test flight, four months ago.
Images broadcast live by cameras on the ship then showed a layer of orange plasma when it returned from space, due to friction with the atmosphere. Pieces had broken off under the pressure.
Since then, SpaceX has said it has carried out “a complete overhaul of the heat shield” of the ship, by installing “new generation” tiles.
FULL IN PROGRESS
The rocket’s tanks are being filled less than 45 minutes before takeoff, SpaceX teams announced in two messages posted on X: first those from Starship, then those from Super Heavy.
CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT FOR TAKEOFF
Starship teams are making final preparations for takeoff, and also indicate that the weather is “ideal” for today’s test. Takeoff currently scheduled for 2:25 p.m.
A DELICATE MANEUVER
This reconstruction in computer-generated images allows us to better understand the intention of SpaceX, which hopes to succeed in recovering the first stage of its megarocket in the same place where it was launched.
THE COMET SALUTES THE ROCKET
An American captured a very seasonal shot: the Starship rocket ready on its launch pad, with the passage of the famous comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas in the background, visible for ten days from Earth.
SPACEX’S NEW BET
SpaceX must attempt a new and spectacular maneuver on Sunday: catching up with the first stage of its Starship megarocket using immense mechanical arms, during a new test flight which could represent a decisive step towards the reuse of this heavy launcher .
The two stages of the rocket – the largest and most powerful in the world – must at the end of its development be recovered and reused after each flight. A strategy aimed at being able to launch more machines more quickly… and for much less money.
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the 5th launch of SpaceX’s Starship megarocket. A takeoff which will not be the only issue today: Elon Musk’s company hopes to recover the first stage of its machine directly on the launch pad, in order to recycle it for future trips.
Takeoff of this 5th Starship test flight is scheduled from 7 a.m. local time (2 p.m. French time) from the company’s Starbase space base, in the far south of Texas in the United States. The rocket consists of the Super Heavy first stage and, above it, the Starship, which by extension gives its name to the entire launcher.
During each flight, Super Heavy detaches from the ship after propelling it using its 33 powerful engines. Until now, it was going to end its journey in the sea, but this time SpaceX wants to try to bring it back to its launch pad, around seven minutes after takeoff.
Once braked and before it hits the ground, mechanical arms installed on the launch tower, nicknamed “the wands”, must then close on it and immobilize it.
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“SpaceX engineers spent years preparing for the capture attempt”the company wrote. “Tens of thousands of hours” were devoted by the technicians “putting in place the necessary infrastructure to maximize our chances of success”she added.
Of the “thousands” conditions will have to be met to carry out this risky maneuver, warned SpaceX. If they are not met, Super Heavy will follow a trajectory leading it to land in the Gulf of Mexico.
Follow the takeoff and this first attempt with us.
