Third height test on a SpaceX Starship prototype ended with a successful landing on March 3 – and then, a few moments later, it ended for the second time with an explosion.
Although tSN10, as the prototype was known, joined its most recent predecessors in the great fire beyond, was still celebrated as a success to become the first of Elon Musk related to Mars Prototypes of the ship to glue the bearing. On Tuesday, Musk took to Twitter to develop why SN10 also entered a little hot and clarified that there are a number of remedies already in the works for the next prototype in the series, SN11.
“The SN10 engine had a low pressure due to (probably) the partial ingestion of helium from the fuel tank “, Musk wrote on Twitter. “Impact of crushed legs of 10 m / s and part of the skirt. ”
In subsequent tweets, Musk confirmed that helium intake is likely the result A pressurization system that was it added to the CH4 header tank to correct an error that occurred previously with SN8.
“If autogenous pressurization had been used, CH4 bubbles would most likely have returned to the liquid, ”Musk wrote. “The helium in the header was used to prevent the ullage from collapsing, which happened in the previous flight. My fault for approval. Sounds good at the time. ”
G / O Media may receive a commission
Video material of the SN10 launch and subsequent light landing at the SpaceX test facility in Boca Chica, Texas, Events the rocket coming for a quick landing before settling at a inclined angle, slightly lit.. Almost a full minute after successfully completing the test flight, the rocket explodes in a massive fireball.
Musk’s tweet came in response to a series of photos posted on Twitter by a photographer appearing to capture SpaceX employees testing SN11’s landing legs in order to ensure that it will run properly as it prepares for its own imminent test flight. Although SN11 is currently on the launch pad in Boca Chica, SpaceX has done so not however confirmed exact when the next flight test is scheduled to – although some industry experts believe it may be ready launch as soon as possible like next week.