SpaceX's Starship survives test launch despite self-destruct command malfunction.

1 min read
Source: TechCrunch
SpaceX's Starship survives test launch despite self-destruct command malfunction.
Photo: TechCrunch
TL;DR

During SpaceX's recent Starship test flight, the first with its Super Heavy orbital booster, the rocket's automated self-destruct feature didn't work immediately, resulting in a 40-second delay before the explosion. Three of the rocket's 33 total engines didn't participate in the launch thrust, and one of the remaining engines had a fault that damaged other engines near it. The engines lost their ability to control the direction of the launch vehicle, causing it to spin. The launch also resulted in the destruction of the concrete launch pad and debris hurtling around the launch facility surroundings.

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