SpaceX's Starship has successfully lifted off on its fifth test flight from a launch pad in Texas, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to the moon and beyond.
For the first time, SpaceX attempted to bring the rocket's massive first stage booster back to land using large robotic arms, referred to as "chopsticks." These metal arms, which look like giant pincers, "caught" the Super Heavy booster as it returned to Boca Chica, near the Mexican border, after launch.
The test flight will see the Starship spacecraft land in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia.
The launch was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just a day prior, weeks earlier than initially expected. The FAA had previously indicated that a decision on the Starship 5 test flight wouldn't be made until late November, but SpaceX met all safety, environmental, and licensing requirements ahead of schedule.
Elon Musk's company has faced delays in the past with FAA approvals, and Musk had criticised the regulatory body for holding up the licence for Starship 5, which SpaceX said had been ready since August.
Starship is touted by SpaceX as the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes. The FAA has also approved the mission profile for the next test flight, Starship 6.
Source:
sky news
