The prototype Starship SN15 rocket performed a successful test flight, taking off to an altitude of 10 kilometers.
The rocket made a soft landing, but, unlike the SN10 prototype, did not explode.
SpaceX has been developing Starship, a next-generation super-heavy rocket for several years.
First of all, it will differ from its predecessors by the possibility of multiple use of both stages, each of which will land on the ground or on a sea platform like the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket.
According to Elon Musk's plans, this will allow refueling the rocket in orbit: some of the upper stages will be refuelers which will be able to make several flights in a short time and without high costs.
In total, Starship will launch more than 100 tons into orbit, and after refueling it will be able to continue its journey to the Moon, Mars or other planets of the solar system.
The tests of the new rocket are progressing with varying degrees of success.
The SN8 prototype took off 12 kilometers but was unable to brake and crashed on landing.
The SN10 tests were more successful: the rocket touched down, but it exploded a few minutes later.
Now Starship SN15 successfully passed flight tests.
The rocket took off 10 kilometers, turned off the engines, went down with the help of aerodynamic rudders, restarted the engines, turned the engines towards the platform and gently sat onto it.
After that, a small fire was seen under the rocket from the remnants of fuel, but it did not lead to an explosion.
A conspicuous part of the surface of this prototype was covered with black thermal insulation tiles.
At this stage of testing, it is not needed, but without it, test suborbital flights will be impossible
The team wants to find out how the tiles withstand vibration of engines and temperature drops from cryogenic fuel.
Source:
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