SpaceX reveals why the last two stars failed as another launch approaches

The engineers recreated the diffuser’s failure on the field during the survey, then redesigned the part to better directly pressure gas in the main fuel tank. This will also “considerably decrease” the constraint on the structure of the diffuser, said SpaceX.

The FAA, responsible for ensuring that the launches of commercial rockets do not endanger public security, signed for the investigation and gave the green light so that SpaceX to fly again when it is ready.

“SpaceX can now carry out the launch operations of Starship Flight 10 under its current license,” said FAA.

“The next flight will continue to extend the operating envelope to the super heavy booster, with several planned landing burn tests,” SpaceX said in an update published Friday on its website. “It will also target objectives similar to previous missions, including the first deployment of the starship payload and several back -to -school experiences to return the upper step of the launch site for wrestling.”

In the aftermath of the test flight in May, SpaceX hoped to steal Starship again at the end of June or early July. But another accident on June 18, this time on the ground, delayed the program for a few more months. The Starship SpaceX vehicle was awarded to the next flight, designated Ship 36, exploded on a test stand in Texas while the teams filled it with cryogenic propellants for an engine test test.

The accident destroyed the ship and damaged the test site, which prompted SpaceX to modernize the only launch pavement of active stars to support the tests of the next online ship – Ship 37. These tests included a brief dismissal of the six raptor engines of the ship on August 1.

After the latest Spin Prime Ship 37 test Wednesday, workers transported the rocket to a hangar for evaluation, and the crews immediately set to work by transitioning the launch cushion to its normal configuration to host a full heavy / starship battery.

SpaceX said that the explosion on the test stand in June was probably caused by damage to a high -pressure nitrogen storage tank in the starship payload bay. This tank, called a pressure container on composite, or COPV, has broken up and led to the fiery disappearance of the ship. SpaceX said that COPVs on future flights will operate at lower pressures, and managers have ordered additional COPV inspections to search for damage, more proof tests, stricter acceptance criteria and a change of equipment to solve the problem.