spacetoday.net: SpaceX launches second Starship/Super Heavy

Posted: Thu, Nov 23, 2023, 8:06 AM ET (1306 GMT)
Starship/Super Heavy launch on IFT-2 (SpaceX)

SpaceX launched the second Starship/Super Heavy test flight Saturday, achieving several key milestones while falling short of full success. The vehicle lifted off from the company's Boca Chica, Texas, test site at about 8:03 am EST (1303 GMT). The Super Heavy booster appeared to perform well, without any of the engine failures that led to the failure of the first test flight in April. The vehicle also demonstrated a new "hot staging" technique where the Starship upper stage ignited its engines before separating from the booster. However, the Super Heavy booster broke apart about half a minute after stage separation during a "boostback" engine firing. Starship itself lost contact with the ground near the end of its six-minute burn, and SpaceX said the vehicle activated its flight termination system for reasons it has not yet disclosed. Upgrades to the launch pad allowed it to survive the launch with minimal damage, unlike the April launch. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Sunday that the next Starship vehicle could be ready for launch within four weeks, although a mishap investigation overseen by the FAA will likely take longer to complete.