Five years ago, Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, shared his vision for human space travel. While there has been successful forward movement toward that goal, the latest launch vehicle prototype, Starship SN3, crumbled during cryogenic tanking testing—a test designed to prove the spacecraft’s survivability when faced with pressures in space during flight. This marks the third SpaceX protype that has failed testing.
The testing, which was held at the company’s Boca Chica, Tex., facility, began on April 1 with an ambient temperature test. In the early hours of April 3, liquid nitrogen was put into the spacecraft’s propellant tanks in preparation for the cryogenic testing. However, testing did not go as planned. The spacecraft imploded and collapsed.
After intense research into the failure, Musk stated via Twitter, “There are redundant pressure control valves. It’s a new system and SN3 was simply commanded wrong. Rockets are hard. Good news is that this was a test configuration error, rather than a design or build mistake. Not enough pressure in the LOX tank ullage to maintain stability with a heavy load in the CH4 tank. This was done with N2.”
What does this mean for SpaceX? Like most innovators, SpaceX has learned a lesson and is moving forward, something the company is accustomed to. In November, its Starship Mark 1 vehicle had a bulkhead failure during a similar test. SN1 also failed and crumbled during cryogenic testing in February. Its SN2, which was stripped down to test the thrust puck weld, resulted in no incident. Those tests were used to enhance SN3, including an internally mounted, deployable leg design, and eliminate some of the aerodynamic surfaces, such as a nosecone or aft fins, which likely aren’t necessary for low-altitude flight tests.
Although the SN3 failed, the lessons learned will be incorporated into the SN4, which is already under construction. Equipment crafted for the SN3 won’t be going to waste. The three Raptors will be used on the SN4, as will some of the salvageable hardware, including the thrust structure.
Although all testing dates have been postponed, SpaceX still has the lofty goal to achieve an orbital test flight this year. The SN4 is slated to take on all of SN3’s static fire testing and low-altitude flights, after passing proof tests, of course. If they are a success, the company will begin preparing its SN5, which will reincorporate aerodynamic features for high-altitude flight tests.
While people may have to wait a while for a viable space travel option, the industry continues to look ahead and innovate. To learn more, check out Dawn Aerospace Is Creating a Green Smallsat Future and NASA Plans to Park a Spacecraft in Lunar Orbit.