{"id":792811,"date":"2025-01-17T13:58:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T18:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=792811"},"modified":"2025-01-17T13:58:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T18:58:06","slug":"starships-seventh-test-flight-fails-after-mid-flight-fire-causes-spectacular-explosion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=792811","title":{"rendered":"Starship\u2019s seventh test flight fails after mid-flight fire causes spectacular explosion"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SpaceX\u2019s Starship test flight on January 16, 2025, from Starbase, Texas, saw a successful launch and booster catch but ended with the loss of the upper stage about 8 minutes into the flight, resulting in a spectacular fireball over the Gulf of Mexico.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!
pic.twitter.com\/nn3PiP8XwG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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SpaceX launched the latest iteration of its Starship at 16:30 LT (22:30 UTC) on January 16 from Boca Chica Beach, Texas, aiming for a near-orbital flight path. The spacecraft was equipped with 6 upgraded Raptor engines that began its ascent but experienced an anomaly that led to its destruction approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds into the flight.<\/p>\n

Data indicated that the spacecraft reached an altitude of 146 km (90 miles) and a velocity of 21 320 km\/h (13 245 mph) before contact was lost.<\/p>\n

The booster, which propelled Starship into the upper atmosphere, returned to the launch site and was successfully caught by the mechanical arms of the launch tower, an operation that had only been completed once before. The descending booster hovered over the pad to rapidly reuse its rocket stages. The crowd at the site celebrated the feat but excitement turned to disappointment shortly afterward as confirmation came that Starship had been lost. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was great to see a booster come down, but we are obviously bummed out about ship,\u201d said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a flight test. It\u2019s an experimental vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

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