SpaceX: Starship self-destructed after fire on board

Self-destruction after a malfunction in the fuel system: The seventh test flight of the Starship in mid-January ended with the spacecraft exploding. After a fire caused by leaking propellant, the Starship self-destructed. This was the result of an investigation by SpaceX. The problems should be rectified for the next flight.

About two minutes after the Starship was separated from the booster, a flash was seen near one of the Raptor engines, followed by another two minutes later, according to the US space company. Finally, there was a permanent fire in the area known as the Attic.

The attic is located between the liquid oxygen tank and the rear heat shield. There is a vacuum in it. After the first flash, sensors reported an increase in pressure in this area, which indicated a leak.

The engines shut down

According to SpaceX, the fires caused the engines to shut down in a controlled manner, with one exception. Around 8 minutes and 20 seconds after the launch, communication with the Starship failed. Around three minutes later, the Starship exploded. The safety system automatically activated the self-destruct function. According to SpaceX, the debris came down in a predetermined area on the Turks and Caicos Islands and damaged a car.

SpaceX has investigated the events. Vibrations were identified as the cause, which were much stronger than in previous tests. This led to “increased stress on the hardware of the propulsion system”. The resulting leaks caused more fuel to escape than could be discharged to the outside.

Before the upcoming eighth flight of the Starship, SpaceX carried out an engine test in which the strong vibrations were simulated. As a result, the propellant supply lines were modified. SpaceX is also installing additional vents and a purge system with gaseous nitrogen in the Attic.

The eighth flight of the Starship is imminent. It could be as early as next Friday. For this to happen, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must either complete the investigation or grant permission to take off, although the investigation is still ongoing.

DOGE and the FAA

The matter is sensitive in that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is controlled by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, is making changes at the FAA at the same time. The FAA has not responded to a request for comment, reports the US online magazine Techcrunch.

The Starship is currently the largest rocket. It consists of the approximately 70-meter-long “Super Heavy” booster and a 50-meter-long upper stage. Both are to be reused after returning to Earth. The booster was also caught as planned during the test in January.

The Starship is to be used for future flights to the moon. SpaceX also wants to use it to fly to Mars. In April 2023, a Starship took off for the first time and exploded intact after a few minutes. Six months later, the second launch attempt was successful before the rocket exploded again. Four more followed in 2024, three of which were successful.

(wpl)