The Super Heavy launch vehicle with the installed Starship spacecraft successfully launched from the spaceport in Texas. The broadcast is currently ongoing. The launch took place at 16:02 Moscow time.
All Super Heavy engines operated as normal, a few minutes later the Starship separated, which rose to an altitude of 148 km 8 minutes after launch. During the first launch this spring, the rocket was remotely detonated before the second stage separated.
Then information appeared that communication with the second stage, which is the Starship itself, was lost.
Prior to launch, it was planned that the first stage of Super Heavy would land on a floating platform in the Pacific Ocean approximately one and a half hours after launch. However, she exploded.
We are waiting for official comments from SpaceX, but overall the launch is called successful.
Liftoff of Starship! pic.twitter.com/qXnGXXZP5k
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 18, 2023
Stage separation! pic.twitter.com/PipaCW1PDT
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 18, 2023