Technical Details
SpaceX conducted the 12th test launch of Starship — the first for version V3 and the first in seven months. The rocket launched from a new site, with all 33 Super Heavy engines igniting successfully. During ascent, one engine failed, but this did not affect the mission — similar failures have occurred before.
Context and Background
The stage separation was successful, but problems with the accelerator began. Image: SpaceX Super Heavy failed to perform the return maneuver: some engines did not start, others shut down, and the super-heavy accelerator went off on an unplanned trajectory.
Industry Impact
As a result, it entered the atmosphere at high speed and, after a brief engine restart, fell into the ocean. The Ship 39 spacecraft also experienced malfunctions: one of the vacuum engines shut down shortly after launch. To compensate, engineers increased the operating time of the remaining engines, which allowed the spacecraft to reach the calculated trajectory, but forced the cancellation of one of the planned engine starts in space.