Just hours after Blue Origin’s latest launch, SpaceX achieved a partial success during the test flight of its massive Starship rocket. Depending on one’s perspective, this event could be seen as a glass half empty or half full since only the first stage (the Super Heavy booster) was successfully retrieved at the launch pad. The second stage, intended to become the spacecraft, was lost due to an anomaly.
A Mixed Outcome
The launch took place at 4:37 PM local time (11:37 PM in Paris). Following the separation of the two stages, the booster made a controlled descent back to the launch pad using mechanical arms (referred to as “chopsticks”). This impressive maneuver, broadcast live, was met with roaring applause from the ground team.
However, the excitement was short-lived. Shortly after separation, SpaceX reported losing communication with the second stage (the Starship), apparently due to an anomaly. The rocket experienced what was described as a “rapid unplanned disassembly.” Later on, Elon Musk suggested that a leak of oxygen or fuel was likely the cause of the failure.
High-Risk Testing for Rapid Learning
The intense media coverage of the event or its flamboyant CEO often overshadows the technical challenges and bold approach of SpaceX, which conducts high-risk tests to swiftly improve its Starship. This series of failures has led to significant advancements, and this method has allowed the company to stay ahead of competitors like Blue Origin.
Since its first successful booster recovery in October 2024, SpaceX has indeed made substantial improvements to Starship. Although losing the second stage is a setback, the successful retrieval of the booster underscores the company’s growing mastery of this technology, which is crucial for its interplanetary ambitions.
With his new rocket, New Glenn, Jeff Bezos, who opts for a more measured approach, aims to challenge Elon Musk’s dominance in the orbital commercial flight market. The two billionaires, who founded their respective space companies in the early 2000s, have been vying to dominate this booming industry ever since.