The rocket consists of two segments – the upper one called Starship and the lower one (booster) called Super Heavy. It was created in the Boca Chica complex in Texas. Combining both rocket segments with a powerful crane resulted in a system 120 m high, taller and stronger than the famous Saturn V rocket, which was used in the Apollo program to fly to the moon.
It was a trial assembly, after which the rocket units were disconnected again.
As reported in the company’s announcement, the rocket’s engines produce a thrust of 70 meganewton, while the Saturn V’s engines produced about 35 meganewton (1 meganewton equals 1 million newtons).
The Super Heavy unit has 29 engines that burn gaseous fuel consisting mainly of methane.
The most powerful rocket in use today is also SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, which produces around 23 meganewtons at launch.
The first flight of the new rocket is to take place in a few months, but – as Elon Musk assures before the end of this year. The Starship member is to go around the Earth once and fall down to the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. The Super Heavy engine is set to end its flight in the Gulf of Mexico.
However, the next flights will end with a controlled landing or launching, which will allow the rocket to be reused.
SpaceX boss and owner Elon Musk says the Starship system, once all development is complete, will be more than adequate for manned flights to the Moon and Mars. Musk described the trial editing as “a dream come true”.
NASA’s federal space agency has already ordered a manned flight from Starship to the Moon’s South Pole. The mission is expected to take place later this decade.
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