Elon Musk explains why Starship SN10 exploded as SpaceX preps for SN11 launch
SpaceX hopes to one day send the reusable rocket to the moon and Mars.
By
Joseph Guzman | March 10, 2021
Story at a glance
The Starship SN10 launched from the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas last Wednesday. Minutes later, the stainless steel rocket ship was destroyed in a fiery explosion.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday explained the rocket touched down at too high a speed.
“SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m/s [22 miles per hour] crushed legs & part of skirt,†he tweeted.
Last week, private rocket company SpaceX got as close as it's ever been to successfully carrying out a soft-landing of a reusable heavy lift rocket it hopes to one day send to the moon and Mars.
The Starship SN10 launched from the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas last Wednesday, ascending to an altitude of more than 32,000 feet before making its way back to Earth in a controlled descent.
When the spacecraft touched down on its landing pad without perishing in a fireball like its two predecessors, it seemed that SpaceX nailed one of the most challenging processes in making a reusable, cost-effective rocket.
Minutes later, the stainless steel rocket ship was destroyed in a fiery explosion.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday explained the rocket touched down at too high a speed.
“SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m/s [22 miles per hour] crushed legs & part of skirt,†he tweeted.
A closer look at the landing of SN10 shows it was slightly leaning to one side before exploding.
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https://thehill.com/changing-america/resilience/smart-cities/542624-elon-musk-explains-why-starship-sn10-exploded-as
