SpaceX loses contact with Starship upper stage during test flight

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SpaceX Loses Contact with Starship Upper Stage During Latest Test Flight

In a significant development for the SpaceX Starship program, the private space exploration company lost contact with the upper stage of its Starship vehicle during a high-profile test flight. This incident marks the third consecutive upper stage failure for Starship, raising new questions about the ambitious launch vehicle’s readiness for future missions.

Flight Details and Background

On Tuesday, SpaceX launched its Starship rocket in what was described as a critical test flight designed to push forward the development of its next-generation spacecraft. Starship is billed as the world’s most powerful rocket, intended for future moon, Mars, and deep space missions under NASA’s Artemis program and beyond.

The latest test flight follows back-to-back failures with the Starship upper stage in previous launches. Engineers and space enthusiasts alike watched closely as the vehicle lifted off from SpaceX’s launch complex in South Texas. The rocket’s enormous Super Heavy booster successfully powered the initial stages of the ascent, with the upper stage then separating as planned to continue its test profile.

Loss of Contact with Upper Stage

Despite a nominal launch and booster stage separation, trouble began after the upper stage continued flight. SpaceX teams reported a loss of contact with Starship’s upper stage. The cause of the communication loss remains undetermined as of the latest reports.

According to CBS News, “After back-to-back Starship upper stage failures, SpaceX Tuesday again launched the world’s most powerful rocket, but faced new problems.” This statement reflects the challenges SpaceX now faces in resolving persistent upper stage issues.

Importance of Upper Stage Performance

The upper stage, known simply as Starship, is a crucial component of SpaceX’s next-generation launch vehicle. Designed to carry humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, its performance and reliability are central to SpaceX’s future plans. The current test program is focused on proving out the vehicle’s technical capabilities, including ascent, re-entry, and communication with ground stations.

Previously, Starship upper stage test flights have encountered a range of issues, including loss of vehicle integrity and failed landings. The recent loss of contact is a different technical challenge, involving communication or avionics, which SpaceX engineers now must analyze and address.

Implications for SpaceX and Future Flights

Despite these setbacks, SpaceX is known for its iterative testing approach, using each launch to gather valuable data and improve future designs. Both the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, have repeatedly stressed the importance of “testing to failure” as a way to accelerate spacecraft development.

The Starship program remains a linchpin in NASA’s Artemis project, which aims to return humans to the Moon. Any persistent technical issues could have downstream effects on these timelines, although NASA and SpaceX have both indicated their commitment to resolving challenges as they arise.

Conclusion

The latest Starship test flight underscores both the promise and complexity of developing a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket. While the company lost contact with its upper stage during this mission, each test informs future iterations. SpaceX, overseen by a global audience, will now investigate the communication loss as it continues to pursue its goal of making spaceflight more accessible and routine.

For more information, visit [CBS News – SpaceX Super Heavy Starship Launch Ninth Test Flight](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-super-heavy-starship-launch-ninth-test-flight/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17).

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