On March 14, 2024, SpaceX launched the third Starship integrated flight test from Starbase Launch Facility in Boca Chia, Texas, and achieved orbit for the first time.
This is major progress made by the rocket company and will pave the way for more Starship launches with the help of the latest data from this test mission.
Liftoff:
With favorable weather and all of the pre-flight launch preparations, SpaceX conducted the liftoff on time without being affected by the high winds.
Liftoff of Starship! pic.twitter.com/FaNcasuKaq
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
Stage separation
After MECO, Stage separation was conducted as planned and both stages separated, while the second stage fired its 6 raptor engine to take the flight into orbit.
Starship’s Raptor engines have ignited during hot-staging separation. Super Heavy is executing the flip maneuver pic.twitter.com/T593ACilyD
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
First Stage
The first stage completed its boost backburn but didn’t survive the landing.
Super Heavy boostback burn complete
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
Second stage milestones
SpaceX has confirmed two milestones including the payload door opening and in-orbit propellant loading demonstrations. The vehicle has skipped raptor engine relighting but its plasma shield worked quite well on its way toward the Earth. Eventually, the vehicle lost contact before splashing down in the Ocean.
Starship re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Views through the plasma pic.twitter.com/HEQX4eEHWH
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
Propellant transfer demo complete
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
Starship is coasting in space pic.twitter.com/ZFUXMUkufW
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 14, 2024
The article will be updated…