Current Events > Elon Musk's Starship explodes midair during first integrated flight test

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://nypost.com/2023/04/20/elon-musks-spacex-starship-explodes-during-test-flight/

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1649045184322371584

I like how the SpaceX Twitter cuts off before this happens in their reference to the launch: https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649043715686793218

The Cult of Elon are trying to spin this as a success.
The cope is already off the charts.

That's too bad. Hopefully the next one goes well

That's gotta make you feel good if you're one of the moon mission astronauts.

Rapid unscheduled disassembly

Pogo_Marimo posted...

That's gotta make you feel good if you're one of the moon mission astronauts.

Different vehicle. This was the starship

Pogo_Marimo posted...

That's gotta make you feel good if you're one of the moon mission astronauts.

This one is going to Mars eventually.

Well not this specific rocket, but the model.

Rocket only lasted 420.69 seconds.

Whats the old saying the spaceship that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

Were_Wyrm posted...

Rocket only lasted 420.69 seconds.

Lol good one.

Musk had previously said it would be a success if it didnt explode on the launchpad. Interesting definition of success IMO but he did essentially predict this.

Sariana21 posted...

Lol good one.

Musk had previously said it would be a success if it didnt explode on the launchpad. Interesting definition of success IMO but he did essentially predict this.

That's like a success if you're playing Kerbal.

If I say what I wish would have happened would I be modded? Lol

Sariana21 posted...

Lol good one.

Musk had previously said it would be a success if it didnt explode on the launchpad. Interesting definition of success IMO but he did essentially predict this.

I mean, progress is progress and a failure like this can definitely be progress if you learn from it

Sariana21 posted...

Lol good one.

Musk had previously said it would be a success if it didnt explode on the launchpad. Interesting definition of success IMO but he did essentially predict this.

He follows the Soviet model, build a rocket and see if it works. If it explode, try to figure out why. Repeat until it stops explode.

And our tax dollars pay for this shit.

https://youtu.be/UcTmBfA7Qik

Vyrulisse posted...

The Cult of Elon are trying to spin this as a success.
The cope is already off the charts.

Certainly not a success, but you can't deny it's a failure that can lead to success.

voldothegr8 posted...

Certainly not a success, but you can't deny it's a failure that can lead to success.

He is billionair. Stop giving him tax dollars to do this shit.

Someone tell Elon about Kerbal Space Program

cjsdowg posted...

He is billionair. Stop giving him tax dollars to do this shit.

Especially since unlike nasal, the tech stays private

Foppe posted...

He follows the Soviet model, build a rocket and see if it works. If it explode, try to figure out why. Repeat until it stops explode.

Eventually, the Soviets just gave up on N1 rockets. They never did anything but explode.

This did better than any N1.

Got through launch and max Q. That's all anyone expected. Everything else was gravy.

Hopefully the data they get from this helps progress them. I really want space travel to be a thing. Even if it won't be in my lifetime.

Tyranthraxus posted...

That's like a success if you're playing Kerbal.

Which he's probably basically doing just irl

The alternative is doing endless paperwork and years between test launches.

And Starliner is failing both.

I'm not going to hate on Space-X just because the owner is a dirt bag. The company is still advancing science and engineering. If you want a figure to rally behind, then support Gwynne Shotwell and the rest of the Space-X team who do amazing work while putting up with Elon Musk's shitty work environment.

The road to progress is paved with countless failures unfortunately.

ironman2009 posted...

This one is going to Mars eventually

Bold assumption there lmao

COVxy posted...

Bold assumption there lmao

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/7/5/AAfRsCAAEZqL.jpg

Prismsblade posted...

The road to progress is paved eith countless failures unfortunately.

Do you feel that's true in cancer research?

I'm not a space nerd but all launches by all the companies explode whenever they get past the point they were testing and it's called a success.

The govt should just fund something else but nooo this is the next era of defense spending.

Vyrulisse posted...

The Cult of Elon are trying to spin this as a success.
The cope is already off the charts.

While I don't get the love Musk seems to get from certain people I'd say today the anti Elon guys are being far more annoying.

This post being a prime example because today's launch was always about getting data and the main objective was just to get it lifted up. This isn't some post failure talk either. This was announced ahead of the launch.

It's easy to be a naysayer and negative and point out flaws. While I am not a fan of Musk whatsoever this isn't even about him. It's about people who revel in peoples misfortunes and have the "better to not even bother trying" attitude. I'm glad we have people in the world who say fuck it and go ahead and try things because that's how the world progresses. If everyone was like this guy we'd still be living in mud huts lmao.

Prismsblade posted...

The road to progress is paved eith countless failures unfortunately.

It's not unfortunate. It's a necessary part of progress. I can't imagine how many people decide they don't even want to get out of bed for fear of failure.

Foppe posted...

He follows the Soviet model, build a rocket and see if it works. If it explode, try to figure out why. Repeat until it stops explode.

That's just the model in general. Things blow up a lot when spaceflight is involved, and when they do, you figure out why and try to correct it so the next one doesn't.

Acting like Elon Musk is just some guy who generally takes a measured, reasonable response to a problem is a bit of a stretch.

Such a waste of billions.

Ruvan22 posted...

Do you feel that's true in cancer research?

Absolutely. Why even bring that up?

UnholyMudcrab posted...

That's just the model in general. Things blow up a lot when spaceflight is involved, and when they do, you figure out why and try to correct it so the next one doesn't.

Which is why you should do more tests before the whole rocket is put together to prevent it from exploding.

Full flight video, for those interested. Explosion happens at about +3:59 after launch. The main thrusters were supposed to separate from the shuttle for stage 2, but that never happens, and then just boom

https://youtu.be/bl7IqyEyqhY

Foppe posted...

Which is why you should do more tests before the whole rocket is put together to prevent it from exploding.

When the rocket doesn't cost a billion dollars like the govt one, you can afford to repeatedly do tests like this.

Starks posted...

When the rocket doesn't cost a billion dollars like the govt one, you can afford to repeatedly do tests like this.

We probably shouldnt just be firing bullshit into LEO but whatevs.

divot1338 posted...

We probably shouldnt just be firing bullshit into LEO but whatevs.

LEO is so fucking full of garbage now that space quest 5 is going to become a reality.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Hopefully the data they get from this helps progress them. I really want space travel to be a thing. Even if it won't be in my lifetime.

It could be sooner than you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBlvKG50VP8

NoxObscuras posted...

Absolutely. Why even bring that up?

Because Prismblade said otherwise in the topic on cancer research - we shouldn't put more money into cancer research because there haven't been as much progress recently as there was in the past. They clarified that by "progress" they meant cures, treatments, theoretical solutions.

Ruvan22 posted...

Because Prismblade said otherwise in the topic on cancer research - we shouldn't put more money into cancer research because there haven't been as much progress recently as there was in the past. They clarified that by "progress" they meant cures, treatments, theoretical solutions.

We've actually made some pretty fucking amazing progress just this year.

Tyranthraxus posted...

We've actually made some pretty fucking amazing progress just this year.

That's great to hear! To be fair Prismblade didn't clarify which past progress they felt was significant enough to declare no recent progress.

Was Musk on it?