OAN’s Avril Elfie
11:19am – Friday, March 15, 2024
SpaceX lost contact with its anticipated Starship rocket launch during re-entry over the Indian Ocean.
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After announcing the success of its third test flight, SpaceX lost contact with its Starship rocket as it re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean on Thursday.
Billed as “the largest and most powerful rocket ever built,” the giant rocket launched from Texas, near the Mexican border, but quickly disappeared.
The spacecraft successfully launched from the company’s base in Boca Chica, Texas, at 8:25 a.m. local time.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk welcomed X’s entry into space in a post on Twitter, announcing: Congratulations @SpaceX team!!”
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also posted on X, congratulating the company and the Starship team on the test flight.
“Congratulations to @SpaceX on its successful test flight! The spacecraft has soared to the heavens. Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humans to the moon and set our sights on Mars.”
Musk said the rocket is being tested as the company pushes ahead with trips to the moon and eventually Mars.
“Starship, the most powerful launch system ever developed, will be able to carry up to 100 people on long-duration interplanetary flights,” a SpaceX official said. “Starship will also enable the delivery of satellites, the development of lunar bases, and point-to-point transport on Earth.”
However, in November 2023, SpaceX conducted a second test flight of its Starship rocket, during which the booster exploded and the entire spacecraft appeared to explode as well after entering space.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced it would oversee a SpaceX-led accident investigation to determine the cause of the accident and ways to prevent it from happening again. No further launches will be permitted until it is determined that there is no risk to public safety. SpaceX received approval from the FAA on Wednesday to conduct a third test flight.
The spacecraft had been in space for more than 45 minutes when communication between the spacecraft and the command center was lost.
The FAA announced Thursday that it will oversee SpaceX’s investigation into a third launch “accident” involving its superheavy booster and Starship rocket.
The FAA said there were “no reports of public injuries or damage to public property.” “The FAA is overseeing the SpaceX-led accident investigation and ensuring the company complies with FAA-approved accident investigation plans and other regulatory requirements.”
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