SpaceX managed to make history with third spaceship launch. It is true that it was not flawless. The launch vehicle failed to fire its engines during splashdown, and the craft was lost during the final stages of re-entry. In addition, one of the three tests that had to be carried out in orbit was not completed properly. However, several unique milestones in history have been achieved. And this, of course, was made possible thanks to the improvements that were implemented on the ship after the first two attempts.
Both in April and November 2023. The flight took off from the Boca Chica spaceport. However, in April the separation of the two phases could not be completed, and in November the ship exploded shortly after this separation. SpaceX engineers identified the reasons that led to both errors and implemented up to 17 improvements that allowed Starship to go much further this time.
If everything continues in the same spirit, then the fourth attempt should be the last, in which both phases of the rocket are restored with the end of its reuse. There are probably still some improvements to be made. But let’s now see which ones are the most important ones that were made before this third launch.
Understanding errors to improve your starship
According to a study conducted by a YouTuber who specializes in such releases. Scott Manley Previous failures must have been caused by excess fuel on board the ship. This could cause a release of oxygen during flight, which could lead to an engine fire and a subsequent phase two explosion.
This loss of oxygen is necessary so that the ship can shed ballast as it rises. However, one of the improvements SpaceX has made is to improve the system that makes this easier. releaseso that it is not excessive. Moreover, it strengthened Fire extinguishing system auto.
Tile heat shield, as they fell in every reentry simulation conducted previously. Unfortunately, although no statements have yet been made on this matter, they may not have remained in place either, since the Starship was lost just as it was passing through the atmosphere. Despite this, he successfully completed the first layers, so he only needs to strengthen the shield a little more.
New tests in orbit
This third launch also had the purpose of conducting orbital tests. Both openings gates cargo compartment as fuel transfer from one tank to another were successfully achieved. Both phenomena will be needed to make propulsion more efficient on long journeys such as to the Moon and Mars. This also had to be achieved Restart one of the Raptor’s engines. This is necessary to control the movement of the ship in the future and choose whether to move between orbits.
That third test may not have happened, but it’s likely that it will be part of the improvements for the fourth release.
The incredible performance of SpaceX’s Starlink antennas
Another improvement for this fourth Starship test launch was the placement of more Starlink antennas on board. This allowed us to get much better images of the ship during flight. But something unexpected was also achieved, something that had never been done in the history of space flight: a live broadcast of the spacecraft’s entry into the atmosphere.
In such situations, it is common for telemetry to be lost, resulting in something known as blackout. The antennas cannot withstand sudden penetration into the first layers of the earth’s atmosphere. But in this case, at least initially, they continued to work. For this reason, we were able to see unique images that we had never seen before.
SpaceX has achieved planned and unexpected improvements. What can happen with the fourth flight is perhaps impressive.
Source: Hiper Textual
