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SpaceX's StarShip Caught in Mid-Air After Returning from Space
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Aaj Tak
www.aajtak.in

SpaceX's StarShip Caught in Mid-Air After Returning from Space

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, has achieved a significant milestone in space exploration. When the StarShip spacecraft returned to Earth after its space flight, two massive installations mounted on the launch tower managed to catch it directly in mid-air. This marks the first instance where a StarShip returning from space was captured by the launch tower in this manner.

This spacecraft was designated Ship 42. It launched from SpaceX's central facility in Texas, USA, on November 14th. After spending approximately 22 hours in space, it returned to the launch tower on November 15th, around 2:52 AM Indian time. During its flight, it completed approximately 14 orbits around the Earth.

Two large mechanical arms, referred to as 'Chopsticks,' were installed on the launch tower to capture the StarShip. When the spacecraft returned, these two arms caught it in flight, allowing it to safely settle on the launchpad. Previously, SpaceX had successfully used this technology to capture the first stage of its rocket, the booster, but the successful capture of the StarShip after a space flight represents a new achievement.

During this flight, the StarShip reached an altitude of about 275 kilometers and deployed 26 new Starlink satellites. These satellites are intended to improve internet services.

The spacecraft completed 14 orbits of the Earth. During these orbits, onboard cameras took pictures of the external surface and the ship's protective shield. This data will help scientists understand the impact of space on the spacecraft during reentry.

SpaceX's goal this time was to recover both components of the rocket. However, the first stage, or booster, did not function correctly upon return from the launch. Its engine shut down prematurely, altering the trajectory, causing it to fall into the Gulf of Mexico. The company's engineers are currently investigating the cause of this issue.

Nevertheless, despite the setback with the booster recovery, the safe return of Ship 42 is considered a major success. The company asserts that this technology will enable reusable rockets, which could contribute to lowering the cost of space travel.

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SpaceX Starship is successfully recovered in mid-air by launch tower robotic arms
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olhardigital.com.br

SpaceX Starship is successfully recovered in mid-air by launch tower robotic arms

A historic milestone in space exploration was achieved when Starship, the world's most powerful rocket developed by SpaceX, returned to Earth in an inverted mode and was captured in mid-air by the mechanical arms of the launch tower itself.

This feat occurred after the spacecraft completed more than 22 and a half hours in orbit, making a total of 14 laps around the planet. The event was part of test flight number 15, conducted on Friday (the 13th).

During this flight, Starship executed several maneuvers to leave orbit, pass through the atmosphere, and return to the SpaceX launch base located in Texas. Upon arrival, it was intercepted by the mechanical arms of the Mechazilla tower, known as 'chopsticks'.

Unlike conventional rockets, which discard their stages, Starship was designed to be fully reusable. This implies that both the Super Heavy booster, responsible for the initial thrust, and the Starship upper stage, which travels into space, must return to the surface to be reused.

The first phase of the return consisted of a deorbit burn, which lasted approximately ten seconds. The Raptor engines were ignited during this procedure to adjust the ship's speed and trajectory, removing it from orbit and directing it back into the Earth's atmosphere.

Although brief, this operation was crucial for guiding the ship to the expected return point. Without this course correction, Starship would have continued orbiting the Earth instead of initiating descent.

About 35 minutes later, the craft began its atmospheric entry. At this moment, it had to withstand extremely high temperatures generated by friction with the air and by the compression of the air in front of it during the high-speed descent.

To resist these severe conditions, Starship possesses a thermal shield composed of thousands of protective ceramic tiles, which prevent extreme heat from damaging the ship's metal structure. The performance of this system is a primary aspect evaluated during flight tests.

The final phase began with the ignition of the Raptor engines, which provided the necessary thrust to slow down and control the ship's fall. Two seconds later, Starship performed a maneuver called the 'landing flip,' which consists of rapidly changing its orientation to achieve a vertical position.

Up to that point, the craft was in a more horizontal position, ideal for passing through the atmosphere and managing its trajectory. The inversion allowed it to position itself with the engines facing downward, replicating the launch configuration of a rocket, which culminated in a 'backwards' landing.

The landing burn also involved the gradual shutdown of the engines. Initially, the configuration changed from three to two operational engines, and subsequently, one of them was shut down, leaving only one active Raptor to manage the final moments of the descent.

The last leg was the approach to the launch tower at Starbase, Texas. Instead of landing on supports or a platform, Starship was met by the mechanical arms installed on the structure.

These arms were designed to hold the ship during descent, enabling its recovery without touching the ground. This system had already been used in previous tests to capture the Super Heavy booster, but this Friday's flight marked the first time the procedure was attempted with the upper stage.

The success of this recovery represents a significant advance for SpaceX's plans to create a fully reusable space transportation system capable of performing frequent trips without the need to build a new rocket for each mission.

The recovery of both stages is vital for reducing costs and increasing launch frequency. However, more tests are still needed to prove that Starship can repeat such operations safely and reliably before transporting humans.

The text also summarizes previous flights, mentioning everything from explosions associated with Super Heavy to controlled landings in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, highlighting milestones such as the first separation of Super Heavy and the deployment of Starlink satellite simulators.

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