SpaceX’s third Starship prototype IMPLODES after catastrophic failure resulting from a pressure test
- The test caused SpaceX’s Starship prototype to implode
- A pressure test flooded the craft with a super-cooling propellant
- This is the third Starship prototype to experience a catastrophic failure
- The specific cause of the implosion is still being investigated
SpaceX saw the catastrophic failure of its third Starship prototype after the early-stage craft exploded during a failed pressure test.
As shown in a live video stream of SpaceX’s testing which is recorded by residents near its Boca Chica facility in Texas, the craft imploded during a ‘cryo’ test that filled the craft with a propellant that lowers the temperature in an effort to simulate trips to space.
After the propellant is injected in the craft, SpaceX’s prototype can be seen buckling from the inside out until it eventually collapses on itself under the pressure.
SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted that a test failure was the result of a ‘configuration’ error, but the company is still investigating the issue.
Prior the test, some valves were discovered leaking according to Musk.
This marks the third time that SpaceX’s Starship prototype has experienced such a failure and comes a little more than a month after a previous event.
In February, a prototype failed during the same test at the company’s Boca Chica facility.
Footage captured by a Boca Chica resident showed the craft exploding and sending its stainless steel noise flying off its stand and crashing.
The first failure occurred in November last year during a cryogenic pressure test as Musk attributed the event to a bad ‘puck’ at the base of the craft.
Musk has said that he hopes the Starship will be ready for its first orbital test flight later this year.
In a formal request in September, SpaceX requested permission to fly Starship more than 12 miles into orbit and then land the craft back down in the same spot.
Starship (pictured) has made leaps throughout the past year after successful test of its precursor, Starhopper. The company hopes to conduct a 12-mile-high test flight later this year
The feat would mark a significant leap for the company, which recently completed a successful series of tests on Starship prototype, Starhopper, and gives new insight into just how close the company is to completing the vehicle.
A recently released user manual suggests that SpaceX wants Starship to eventually be a capacity cargo ship that can deliver satellites and science payloads to space as well as a charter vessel for up to 100 passengers.