The vehicle prototype Starship, which develops the company SpaceX Elon musk for interplanetary flights, successfully completed its first test flight.
The launch took place on 4 August in the village of Boca Chica Texas at 18.57 local time (2.57 GMT 5 Aug). The prototype vehicle SN5 Starship without a crew took to the air to a height of 150 meters and landed after a short test flight, reported the news portal Space.com.
Today marks the beginning of a new era, even though this is a small step. We are a giant leap closer to mars than we were yesterday, the future of interplanetary travel is upon us. MARS HERE WE COME!?? pic.twitter.com/PM73bTBS5k— Austin Barnard? (@austinbarnard45) August 5, 2020
Testing the previous prototype, except for the first (Starhopper) ended in failure. In late may, SN4 exploded after leaking fuel, in April, another prototype Starship SN3 – burst during the pressurization of liquid nitrogen. In February, another prototype Starship SN1 – tore itself apart during a test of the pressurization liquid nitrogen. In November 2019, a prototype Starship Mk1 burst when testing for leaks.
Starship reusable vehicle designed to fly to the moon, Mars and other interplanetary missions. He will also perform the role of the second stage super-heavy launch vehicle BFR (Big Falcon Rocket), SpaceX is working on.