Space · Video
Why SpaceX's Super Heavy Booster Did Not Return to the Tower
Scott Manley ·
At a glance
Scott Manley looks at why the Super Heavy booster (the first stage of the rocket) skipped its tower catch during a Starship launch and fell into the Gulf of Mexico. He uses footage of the descent to explain why the tank crumpled and why the booster appears to have run out of fuel.
Key points
- The launch went ahead even though FAA (US aviation regulator) licensing was delayed and aircraft were grounded.
- The upper-stage Starship reached orbit, but the booster was diverted to crash into the Gulf of Mexico instead of returning to the tower.
- The tank crumpled after its gas was vented, so outside air pressure crushed it.
- A brief green flare in the engine exhaust and signs of fuel depletion suggest the engines could no longer fire.
Why it matters
It shows, using real footage, why rocket landing attempts fail for viewers curious about the causes.
Original source
Why Did SpaceX's Superheavy Booster Not Return To Tower?
Scott Manley · Nov 14, 15:01 KST
Watch on YouTube ↗AI summarized the video content. Check the original for accuracy. Copyright belongs to Scott Manley.
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