The SN8 launched around 4:40 p.m. U.S. Central Time from SpaceX’s Texas test facility. In the video, it can be seen how the SN8 began shutting off its three Raptor engines in succession during descent before tipping its nose cone to flip into position for landing. The landing attempt was almost successful until one of the rocket’s engines suddenly shut down prematurely, causing the SN8 to descend much quicker and free fall.
According to SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, they were expecting only a one-third chance of landing success for the SN8 test. Musk took to Twitter to laud the rocket’s successful “switchover from the header tanks and precise flap control to the landing point.” He also explained that the low fuel header tank pressure during landing burn caused the touchdown velocity to rise, which led to “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” However, despite the SN8’s crash and burn episode, SpaceX shared that the test was able to provide the company with the necessary data for its next launches.
The company is already planning to launch more Starship prototypes soon. According to SpaceX, the SN9 is nearly complete and will be undergoing a similar test flight.
Both Starship and the Super Heavy rocket launch system are designed for what Musk envisions as rapid trips between Earth and Mars in the future. They are intended to be fully reusable and will carry more than 100 tons of cargo and passengers. With a height of 50 meters and weighing over 1,400 tons, the Starship is a towering force. Compared to the SN8 prototype’s current design, the final rocket will also double as a six-engine, second-stage booster for the Super Heavy, which is also currently in development.
Starship was first introduced in September 2019 on the 11th anniversary of SpaceX’s first rocket launch and is intended to lower the cost of spaceflight for robotic and crewed missions.
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