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HomeTech & Sciencesthe 4th test launch of the Starship reaches a new crucial milestone!

the 4th test launch of the Starship reaches a new crucial milestone!

The space company SpaceX, founded and led by Elon Musk, has just successfully completed the fourth test launch of its Starship spacecraft, coupled with the immense Super Heavy rocket. For the first time, the latter managed to land in the Indian Ocean after separating from the Starship, thus marking a new milestone in the conquest of space.

A delayed but successful launch

Initially scheduled for June 5, as announced by SpaceX a few weeks ago, this fourth test had to be postponed by a day due to lack of regulatory approval. Despite this setback, the launch, broadcast live on SpaceX's YouTube channel, went off without a hitch.

The main objective of this test was to return both the spacecraft and the rocket to Earth after takeoff. A major challenge met with flying colors by the SpaceX teams.

Super Heavy has splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico pic.twitter.com/hIY3Gkq57k

โ€” SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 6, 2024

The Super Heavy reaches a milestone

After igniting its 33 Raptor engines, the Super Heavy rocket successfully detached from its base approximately three minutes after liftoff, marking the end of the first stage of the launch. This is the first time that the booster has managed to land properly in the Gulf of Mexico, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, after separating from the Starship.

This feat was made possible thanks to several modifications made by SpaceX to the launcher, including:

  • Optimization of filtering systems
  • Strengthening internal structures
  • Improving the efficiency of the rotation maneuver
  • The Starship put to the test of the atmosphere

    While the Super Heavy returned to Earth, the Starship continued its journey towards the Indian Ocean. The spacecraft must now successfully re-enter the atmosphere, a challenge that ended in failure during the previous test flight, with the Starship completely disintegrating.

    To prevent history from repeating itself, SpaceX has made several improvements to its ship:

  • Added new roll control thrusters to stabilize re-entry
  • Reinforced thermal shield to better resist heat
  • Integration of a new separator between the booster and the launcher to guarantee optimal separation of the two stages
  • SpaceX pushes the limits of what is possible

    With this fourth test launch, SpaceX reaches a new milestone in its ambitious Starship program. The successful landing of the Super Heavy and the numerous optimizations made to the vessel suggest promising prospects for the continuation of operations.

    Elon Musk and his teams are once again demonstrating their ability to push the boundaries of what is possible, paving the way for spectacular new advances in the field of space exploration. There is no doubt that the next test flights will be scrutinized with the greatest attention by enthusiasts around the world.

    The challenges of future launches

    Beyond the technological prowess, the success of this fourth test flight is of capital importance for the future of SpaceX and its space projects. The Starship, once operational, should indeed play a key role in the lunar and Martian missions envisaged by Elon Musk's firm.

    Among SpaceX's ambitious goals, we can cite:

  • Establishing a permanent base on the Moon
  • Sending a crew to Mars by 2030
  • The establishment of a rapid and affordable interplanetary transport system
  • To make these dreams come true, the reliability and reusability of the Starship and its Super Heavy launcher will be essential assets. Each successful test flight brings SpaceX one step closer to these grandiose goals, ushering in a new era of space exploration.

    As the world holds its breath waiting for the Starship to return to Earth, one thing is certain: SpaceX is poised to revolutionize the way we experience space travel. And this fourth test launch, with its successes and its promises, will undoubtedly remain engraved in the annals of space conquest.

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