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SpaceX’s latest prototype successfully achieved a controlled high altitude ascent and vertical landing. NASA has chosen this platform to land Astronauts on the moon later this decadeSummary
SpaceX’s new prototype, SN15 named the ‘Starship,’ rose vertically from the Boca Chica test facility with the aid of three Raptor rocket engines to a height of 10 Km. The engines were then shut down, and the Starship then assumed a horizontal position. This created a larger surface area that slows its descent as much as possible. Flaps at either end of the craft control this configuration until it transitions into a tail-down position for the final stage of its controlled landing. SpaceX is learning from all the data collected and applying this data in developing a spacecraft capable of landing people on the moon. Once SpaceX is fully operational, it will launch the Starship on a booster called a Super Heavy, equipped with 28 Raptor rockets delivering over 70 meganewtons of thrust, sufficient to convey a payload of 100,000kg into low earth orbit.
