SpaceX Conducts Third Starship Orbital Test Flight

SpaceX Conducts Third Starship Orbital Test Flight: SuccessAmidst Failure

SpaceX has recently undertaken the third orbital test flight for its Starship project. This launch marks a significant milestone for the company's ambition to send humans to the Moon and eventually Mars.

The launch occurred on March 14th from Starbase, Texas. Starship successfully reached orbital velocity and achieved many mission objectives.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the success of the launch on his personal X account, claiming that Starship had reached orbital velocity. This came after the Super Heavy booster and Ship didn't make it back down to Earth, as planned, resulting in a RUD protocol (Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, or boom). Communications with the rocket were severed, leading to this outcome.

The massive plume of smoke created by the nearly 400-foot rocket was seen on March 14th in the early morning hours as it fired all 33 first-stage Raptor engines upon launch. The swift ascent into the clouds left a striking image.

SpaceX announced that the data gathered during the third orbital test flight will be used to refine the Starship project and turn it into a transportation method capable of reliably traveling to the Moon and Mars.

This launch signifies the 22nd anniversary of the founding of SpaceX and is a step toward the company's goal of advancing space exploration. While the initial test flight was a success, the company's RUD protocol resulted in the rocket's destruction upon re-entry. The data collected will be used to improve the Starship project.

Comments were released from many news outlets and scientists about this breakthrough.

Renowned space journalist, Lenika Cruz, tweeted: "The ride to orbit and many of the objectives for Starship's third flight appeared to be successful. But, spoilers, the prototype didn't survive the return."

In agreement, Alan Boyle, writer and blogger on NBC's Science Digest, commented on the success and learnings from the launch. He stated, "If Starship eventually goes into production, many iterations will inform the final design. So, each flight test — successful or not — moves the ball forward."

This launch captures the progress in SpaceX's interstellar ambitions and its ongoing efforts to transform space exploration. Though, there is still more to be learned and developed before effectively reaching the Moon and Mars.