SpaceX's seventh flight test of its massive Starship launch system brought both thrilling advancements and unexpected challenges. Notably, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch site and was caught by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms, while the upper stage, known as Ship 33, experienced a critical failure during its ascent.

Article: https://joshuniverse.com/spacex-starship-flight-booster-success-ship-loss/

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[–] pennomi@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

The booster is doing so well I almost think they should just put a traditional second stage + capsule/fairing on top. I know it’s not technically fully reusable but we’d be off to the races by now.

[–] Veedem@lemmy.world 30 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I hate that Musk is associated with the company, but they’re doing some really cool things.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago (1 children)

they’re doing cool things despite musk. he is just money. they have an entire team dedicated to keeping him away from the day to day

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world 6 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (1 children)

SpaceX receives a lot of funding from the US government. This is masked through a few means, but mostly by not reporting it in articles. You 100% paid to see that explosion, so I hope it was worth it. I would rather it go to Ukraine.

[–] pennomi@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

I mean, the money they use to develop rockets eventually goes to things like Starlink, which eventually goes to places like Ukraine.

Space supremacy is military supremacy.

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world 0 points 22 hours ago

Keep in mind the last two explosions were the same reason why NASA decided to quit this years ago. They're still dealing with FUEL LEAKS

[–] Nighed 14 points 1 day ago

Between spaceX and Blue Origin they managed a full mission!

(Blue origin got to orbit, but lost their booster, spaceX caught the booster, but lost the starship)

[–] Bahnd@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

Dont worry, atleast they are still flying half a ship.

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (3 children)

It's a shame how when you try to put up the barest of goalposts for SpaceX people immediately rush in to literally make shit up to justify why this happening on the 7th launch is a good thing. It's also very capitalism that Elon has made a rocket that can save itself but not it's occupants - and this is being celebrated by right wingers.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 6 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

But I do appreciate the attempt. They ran a test, not expecting a complete success, and they found something they can improve. Maybe they overdo it but it is so refreshing to have the development process so open and especially inspirational that a failed test doesn’t risk failing the first program.

Look at Blue Origin. Also some amazing technology and I hope for their success as well. But they’ve been working on it so many years with nothing visible that it’s hard to think of them as in contention. Even worse that their test failed. I hope it’s just a failed test that they learn from but since they follow a more traditional development model, it’s much more worrying. Only a handful of test failures are likely to doom the program.

Or look at SLS. It’s already dead but just doesn’t know it yet. A failed test is a failed program, even if it wasn’t so expensive and unsustainable

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world -5 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

That there is room for improvement is implied, not something to be championed. This is the space travel equivalent of a participation trophy. Remember taxpayers paid for this, and with Rump and Shmelon in office it's not going to get better. I want billions sent to ukraine, not SpaceX

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 4 points 21 hours ago

I want both.

Our investment in space development by Space X is much lower than other ways of developing the same capabilities and has proven to have a great return on investment. I also like the results of our investment in Blue Origin, and it’s really only the Boeing contract that has been way too much money and a huge waste.

If our investment into Ukraine’s future were as successful, we’d already be helping new nations of the former Russia write their Constitutions

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 7 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

Some people are so blinded by their hatred of Musk that they are utterly incapable of differentiating between him and "SpaceX Engineers". I bet you don't even know what an FTS is and think the shuttle just spontaneously exploded for some unknown reason.

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world 1 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

Like everyone else, I liked Musk too, for a time. Then I changed, and he didn't. He's literally been doing the same shit for years. The fuel tanks were LEAKING and you want to talk about FTS? Fuck outa here with your bullshit.

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 4 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

You are really complaining that the people trying to put an experimental behemoth in orbit missed something on their 7th try?

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world 0 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (2 children)

You are really complaining that the people trying to put an experimental behemoth in orbit missed something on their 7th try?

This is what I'm talking about. This one is beside themselves, it wasn't even an orbital test. NASA would be done by now if they were in bed with Rump like Shmelon.

[–] pennomi@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

NASA would be done by now

Laughs in SLS.

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 4 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

NASA would be working on the 2nd prototype by now. Also, NASA abandoned manned ships because they were unable to keep them safe.

And yes, they are having a hard time. It is to be expected or are they missing the easy stuff? Who knows? It's something nobody has done before.

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world -3 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (1 children)

NASA abandoned manned ships because they were unable to keep them safe.

I'm dying at the fact the last two previous launches confirm what NASA figured out a generation ago. Thanks for citing my own sources. This was even after I pointed out how that fact is also very capitalism.

You literally cannot hold a goalpost to these people

[–] marcos@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (1 children)

So, to make it clear, your criticism of SpaceX is that they are trying to do stuff that is too hard, and they shouldn't try?

Because yes, that may be warranted. But I don't think they are betting the farm on it.

But also, that's because of capitalism somehow?

[–] MooseTheDog@lemmy.world -3 points 21 hours ago

I've made my point. If you don't get it by now, I have tickets to see the titanic if you're interested.

[–] gazby@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Booster catch starts about 6:30 if you wanna skip the rest 🚀

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qzWMEegqbLs

[–] dis_honestfamiliar@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 23 hours ago

Holly crap that's pretty impressive.