The historic launch of SpaceX Starship։ the rocket lifts off, but explodes in the air (video)

The SpaceX Starship successfully lifted off from Starbase in Texas today on its second launch attempt. However, in mid-air, the spacecraft failed to separate from the first stage, the Super Heavy rocket, and both exploded as a result.

You can watch the remarkable footage in the live streaming video (starts at about 43 minutes in).

According to the original plan, the Super Heavy rocket was supposed to land in the Gulf of Mexico, about 30 kilometers from Boca Chica Beach, and the Starship was supposed to separate from the rocket about 3 minutes after takeoff and develop a speed close to orbital, then to fall In the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Hawaii.

But in reality the spacecraft did not separate from the rocket. The video shows them (starting at 48:50) spinning in place for a moment before the epic explosion.

Բայց իրականում տիեզերանավը չառանձնացավ հրթիռից։ Տեսանյութում երևում է (սկիզբը՝ 48:50-ից), որ դրանք մի պահ պտտվում են տեղում, որից հետո տեղի է ունենում էպիկական պայթյունը։

Starship's first launch attempt was scheduled for April 17. However, the flight did not take place due to the malfunction of the first stage, as the representatives of the company announced live. Before that, the launch was scheduled for April 10, but then it didn't even get to the actual launch test because the US Federal Aviation Administration postponed the flight.

This reusable space system consists of a Starship (a prototype of Ship 24) and a Super Heavy rocket (a prototype of Booster 7). It should launch up to 150 tonnes of payload into orbit.

NASA has selected SpaceX's Starship as the first crewed landing module for its Artemis lunar exploration program, which is expected to land astronauts on the lunar surface by the end of 2025. Before this, the spacecraft must pass many tests and prove its suitability for this mission.