SpaceX Starship Flight 9: Key Advances in Reusability

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9: A Step Closer to Reusability

SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the ninth time on May 27, featuring the first-ever significant reuse of Starship hardware. The mission showcased successful reuse of a Super Heavy booster, with 29 of its 33 Raptor engines being flight-proven.

Key Highlights of Flight 9:

• Successful Stage Separation: Starship’s two stages separated as planned, and the upper stage reached space.
• Reusing Super Heavy Booster: The booster conducted a new atmospheric entry experiment. It entered at a higher angle. This was to collect data on aerodynamic control.
• Ship’s Performance: Ship was tasked with deploying eight dummy Starlink satellites. Unfortunately, the payload door couldn’t open fully. Additionally, a fuel tank leak caused the upper stage to tumble.
• Loss of Both Stages: Super Heavy broke apart during its return burn. Ship’s destructive reentry occurred over the Indian Ocean.

What Went Wrong:

• Super Heavy Breakup: The booster broke apart roughly six minutes after launch during its return burn.
• Ship’s Fuel Tank Leak: A leak in Ship’s fuel tank systems caused the upper stage to lose control and tumble.

SpaceX’s Next Steps:

• Iterative Approach: Despite setbacks, the mission yielded valuable data, inspiring SpaceX’s iterative approach to innovation.
• Future Launches: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the first Starship test launch could lift off in three to four weeks. The second and third launches could follow the same schedule.
• FAA Investigation: The Federal Aviation Administration requires SpaceX to investigate the Starship Flight 9 mishap