SpaceX's latest Starship prototype experienced a self-destruct incident during its recent flight after an oxygen leak caused sustained fires in its aft section. While the company acknowledged not all test objectives were met, it remains optimistic that the lessons learned will inform future vehicle designs. The prototype disintegrated upon reentry over the Caribbean, scattering debris. The failure occurred after stage separation, where a noticed flash indicated a pressure leak, leading to engine shutdowns. Nonetheless, the Super Heavy booster managed a successful catch by the Mechazilla tower.
SpaceX's latest Starship prototype self-destructed during flight due to an oxygen leak leading to sustained fires, impacting the program's testing objectives and advancements.
Despite the incident, SpaceX views the test as an integral part of the learning process, promising that lessons learned will enhance future Starship vehicles.
The blast is considered a setback compared to earlier successful tests, although the Super Heavy booster was successfully recovered, showcasing some progress in the program.
The root cause of the loss was identified as harmonic response leading to excessive stress on the propulsion hardware, ultimately resulting in fires and failure.
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