In a recent SpaceX company update presentation at Starbase, Elon Musk disclosed the reason behind the mid-flight explosion of SpaceX’s Starship during its second integrated test flight in mid-November. While the launch itself was considered a success, with Starship reaching the space for the first time, complications arose during the return journey.
The incident occurred shortly after the separation of the Super Heavy booster, which disintegrated on its way back to Earth. Simultaneously, Starship itself faced a similar fate eight minutes into the flight. Speculation arose on social media about the cause, particularly the role of the flight termination system designed to disassemble the rocket if deviations from the planned trajectory occur.
Elon Musk clarified the situation in the presentation, pointing out a surprising factor: the world’s heaviest rocket was too light. He explained, “Flight 2 actually almost made it to orbit. In fact, ironically, if it had a payload it would have made it to orbit. Because the reason that it actually didn’t quite make it to orbit was we vented the oxygen, and liquid oxygen ultimately led to fire and an explosion.”
The decision to vent the liquid oxygen was made because, under normal circumstances with a payload on board, such a venting procedure wouldn’t have been necessary. Musk emphasized the irony that if the rocket had carried a payload, it would have successfully reached orbit. The revelation sheds light on a unique challenge faced during the flight.
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However, the exact cause behind the Super Heavy booster’s failure during the boost back burn is yet to be determined. Despite the setback, Musk expressed a pragmatic approach, stating, “It is always better to sacrifice hardware than sacrifice time. Like, time is the one true currency.” This underscores Musk’s commitment to prioritizing the rapid development of Starship over potential setbacks in the form of rocket failures.
Looking ahead, SpaceX has outlined key milestones for the upcoming third integrated test flight. These include executing the in-space engine burn from a header tank, safely deorbiting the spacecraft, conducting initial tests for propellant transfer technology, and testing the payload door and mechanism for deploying Starlink satellites. The third flight is tentatively planned for February, contingent on receiving the necessary launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, Musk’s transparency about challenges and ongoing improvements remains a hallmark of the company’s commitment to innovation.