Photo copyright: Reuters
SpaceX abandoned its attempt to catch the lower stage of the Starship rocket during its next test launch.
The bottom stage was planned to be caught using mechanical arms on the launch tower, which many compared to chopsticks. Instead, the stage was aimed at the ocean and fell there.
The upper stage of the rocket continues its flight into space. SpaceX will decide whether it will attempt to catch it at around 3:15 pm local time (2115 GMT) on Saturday.
This is the first attempt to fully recover both stages of a Starship rocket. According to the creators, they can be reused and thereby reduce the cost of launches.
The 124m tall rocket successfully blasted off from the Starbase launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas at 22:45 GMT on Friday.
image copyrightSpaceX
The launch was broadcast live. Speaking about abandoning the attempt to catch the lower stage, a SpaceX spokesman said: “Safety is always the number one priority. When we try something that hasn't been done before, our priority is to make sure that every maneuver can be performed safely.”
The Starship upper stage is expected to launch 26 satellites into orbit to join the Starlink constellation. It will circle the Earth 14 times and return 22.5 hours after launch. At this stage, they may try to catch her using mechanical arms on the launch tower (a decision on this will be made later).
During three previous launches, SpaceX managed to catch the lower stage. The upper stage has always splashed down into the ocean until now.
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SpaceX has long strived to create a 100% recyclable rocket. The Falcon 9 rocket's lower stage can be reused. This rocket is launched more than 100 times a year, and reusing boosters has significantly reduced costs.
The cost cuts are being closely watched by SpaceX shareholders - the company went public this year - as well as NASA.
Starship's success will directly impact NASA's plans to land a man on the Moon in 2028. This is a very ambitious deadline.
At the same time, SpaceX has a competitor - billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company, which also signed a contract with NASA to develop a device for landing on the Moon.
NASA is setting itself such an ambitious timeline because of rivalry with China, which plans to land its taikonauts on the Moon in 2030, said agency administrator Jared Isaacman.
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