"A New Milestone for SpaceX" Full Text: On October 13, 2024, SpaceX successfully completed its fifth test flight of Starship. This marked a significant milestone in spaceflight technology. The Super Heavy booster finished its role in the mission and returned to the Boca Chica launch site in Texas. SpaceX used mechanical arms, called "chopsticks," to catch the booster. This recovery maneuver was successfully completed for the first time. Booster 12 returned after performing a series of boostback and landing burns. It demonstrated SpaceX’s capability for rapid reusability. This achievement is critical for minimizing turnaround times between launches. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President, and Elon Musk both expressed excitement over the mission’s success. The Starship spacecraft, designated Ship 30, followed a suborbital trajectory. It reached an altitude of 212 kilometers. The spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere with improvements to its heat shield. Though not designed for recovery, the spacecraft made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This happened approximately 66 minutes after launch. The mission met its two main objectives: catching the booster and landing Starship in the ocean. This success advances SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable spacecraft.
"A New Milestone for SpaceX"
Full Text:
On October 13, 2024, SpaceX successfully completed its fifth test flight of Starship.
This marked a significant milestone in spaceflight technology.
The Super Heavy booster finished its role in the mission and returned to the Boca Chica launch site in Texas.
SpaceX used mechanical arms, called "chopsticks," to catch the booster.
This recovery maneuver was successfully completed for the first time.
Booster 12 returned after performing a series of boostback and landing burns.
It demonstrated SpaceX’s capability for rapid reusability.
This achievement is critical for minimizing turnaround times between launches.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s President, and Elon Musk both expressed excitement over the mission’s success.
The Starship spacecraft, designated Ship 30, followed a suborbital trajectory.
It reached an altitude of 212 kilometers.
The spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere with improvements to its heat shield.
Though not designed for recovery, the spacecraft made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
This happened approximately 66 minutes after launch.
The mission met its two main objectives: catching the booster and landing Starship in the ocean.
This success advances SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable spacecraft.