SpaceX reported that they lost the Starship prototype during the third test flight (2 photos + 2 videos)
Nevertheless, today's flight was much more successful than the previous two.
The third test launch of the Starship prototype took place today at the Boca Chica spaceport in Texas. The Super Heavy launch vehicle was able to launch the ship into orbit this time. Starship reached an altitude of 230 km, and then began to descend, but 49 minutes into the flight, while entering the atmosphere at an altitude of 77 km, it caught fire and collapsed, losing contact with the Earth.
Landing diagram of the launch vehicle and ship. Both vehicles were supposed to splash down in the Indian Ocean.
It is noted that in comparison with previous Starship tests, the third launch was the most successful. For the first time, Starship was able to almost complete its planned flight. The previous two test launches ended with the ship exploding on takeoff. Now all systems are working properly. The rocket separated and entered the landing trajectory, but, however, it did not fall into the water in exactly the position in which it was intended. In general, Musk’s employees have something to work on.
Starship is a super-heavy reusable two-stage system consisting of a Super Heavy launch vehicle and a Starship ship. The Super Heavy launch vehicle is the most powerful launch vehicle ever built in the world, capable of launching up to 150 metric tons into orbit for reusable use and up to 250 metric tons for single use. Elon Musk's SpaceX company plans to fly into orbit in the future, after which both the ship and the launch vehicle will be able to return to Earth unharmed. Elon Musk also dreams that one day Starship will be able to make interplanetary flights. The nearest target is Mars.