SpaceX lands Super Heavy launch vehicle on the launch pad for the first time



10/14/2024 3:15 AM


SpaceX successfully landed the first stage of Starship rocket - Super Heavy at its Mechazilla launch pad for the first time, the company wrote on social network X. The rocket successfully landed in the Indian Ocean by itself.



Official SpaceX Photos via flickr
This was the spacecraft's fifth voyage into outer space. The liftoff took place from a launch site located in Texas. Super Heavy, the first phase of the rocket ascended and propelled the second stage into space, then detached at a height of around 70 kilometers to start its journey back to Earth.

The launch vehicle reignited three out of Raptor's 33 engines to decelerate quickly on its way back to the launch pad while aiming for the launch tower it took off from. The turret has two big metal 'arms' attached to it. The Starship rocket remained in orbit for approximately one hour.

In early June, the fourth Starship test launch occurred, with it being mounted on a Super Heavy launch vehicle. Next, the rocket made a historic first by returning to Earth and landing in the Indian Ocean during a test launch. After sending Starship into space, the Super Heavy safely touched down in the Gulf of Mexico upon its return to Earth.

source: reuters.com

 


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