SpaceX Starship explodes on landing during a test
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SpaceX fans worldwide are hopeful Serial Number 10 or SN10 will be the first Starship prototype to ace its launch and landing. After the failed landing attempt of the SN9 on February 2 and the SN8’s crash a month earlier, the odds of success are not looking great. SpaceX chief Elon Musk, 49, said on the weekend there is a 40 percent chance SN10 will not land in one piece when it launches from the company’s facility at Boca Chica, South Texas.
Mr Musk tweeted: “Sucess on landing probability is ~60 percent this time.”
SpaceX fans, however, seem undeterred and have shared their excitement for the upcoming launch of the rocket that could one day fly humans to Mars.
One person said: “So close the first time. Confident #SN10 will land. @spacex”
Another person said: “I’m sure if we all keep willing it to happen, SN10 will perform this incredible manoeuvre and land perfectly!”
And a third person said: “The way SpaceX are innovating and pushing the boundaries they are, it wouldn’t surprise me if SN10 fails to stick the landing.
“I’m hopeful that it will land, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t Man shrugging make improvements and on to the next.”
Will Starship SN10 launch this week?
Starship will attempt to launch and land from Boca Chica in a daring manoeuvre dubbed the belly flop.
After flying to an altitude of 6.2 miles (10km), the prototype rocket will flip over to its side and plunge to the ground belly-side down.
Sucess on landing probability is ~60 percent this time
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO
Then just before the rocket hits the ground, SN10 will flip upright again and fire its three Raptorg engines to gently touch down.
The last two Starship iterations aced the first half of their maiden test flights but flubbed the landing.
SpaceX has not confirmed a launch date for SN10 yet but the company is expected to possibly give it a go this week, weather permitting.
SN10 has completed its first cryogenic test last week when it was pumped full of liquid nitrogen to simulate the temperatures and pressures of rocket fuel.
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The rocket will next have to go through one or multiple static fire tests.
During a static fire, the rocket’s engines are ignited at full thrust but the Starship remains firmly tethered to the ground.
Road closures issued by the Cameron County judge last week hinted at a static fire by Friday, February 12, but those were called off.
SpaceX will also need to clear the launch with the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Mr Musk and the FAA were at loggerheads after the regulator pulled the plug on SN9’s first launch attempt last month.
Follow Express.co.uk for the latest Starship news and updates.
SpaceX is developing Starship as a means of getting boots on Mars before the decade is over.
Mr Musk has envisioned a fleet of Starships regularly flying between Earth and Mars – a vision he claims will help ensure the survival of the human species.
The South African billionaire recently spoke about the dangers humanity faces on Earth.
Mr Musk has also revealed the rocket’s design was influence by the Sacha Baron Cohen film The Dictator.
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