The mission was closely followed by Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as well as the president-elect’s son. The goal of returning the booster to the launch pad was not achieved.
US President-elect Donald Trump stood alongside SpaceX CEO during the launch of Starship, the largest spacecraft ever built, for its sixth test flight. The objective was to return the Super Heavy booster to the launch pad, as happened in October, but this was not achieved, ending up landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Photographs released by North American media show Donald Trump wearing a cap with the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again“, along with Elon Musk. The launch was also attended by Donald Trump Jr. and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Republican.
SpaceX successfully tests the recovery of a rocket sent to space
The closeness between Trump and Musk has been questioned due to a potential conflict of interest, as SpaceX received $10 billion in federal contracts in the last decade. The businessman was appointed by the president-elect to head the new “government efficiency” department, but since this is not a government position, Musk will not have to be subject to a conflict of interest evaluation, as is the case with government officials.
Trump nominates Elon Musk to head new ‘department of government efficiency’. Billionaire wants to cut 1/3 of public spending
Already during the campaign, the closeness between the two was visible. In fact, at a rally in September, Donald Trump had already referred to Starship when he asked Elon Musk to put the “rockets to work.” “We want to reach Mars before the end of my term,” he added.
The Space X spacecraft returned to Earth intact on the fourth attempt. Are we closer to the Moon and Mars?
On the social networkwhich Musk bought in 2022, Trump announced that he would be present at the launch this Tuesday. “I’m headed to the Great State of Texas to see the launch of the largest object ever lifted, not just into space, but simply rising from the earth,” he wrote, wishing Musk “good luck” “and the great patriots.” involved in this incredible project.”
I’m headed to the Great State of Texas to witness the launch of the largest object ever lifted, not just into space, but simply taking off from the ground. good luck to @ElonMusk And the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project! https://t.co/UVpVSkpEyu
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2024
With this flight, SpaceX wanted to repeat the success of October: that the ship’s propellant returned to the launch pad. This goal is important for the company, which wants to be able to reuse the Super Heavy boosters and the Starship spacecraft for future missions. Reuse is considered necessary to reduce the time and cost of transporting payloads to space.
Starship takes off! pic.twitter.com/rSLQ2DDy63
-SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024
But the objective was not achieved this Tuesday and the booster ended up landing in the Gulf of Mexico. The company had already warned that it would not proceed if the safety of the public and the team was at stake. “The return will only occur if the conditions are met [do propulsor e da plataforma] “They are appropriate,” said SpaceX, quoted by CNN International.
Starship landed in the Indian Ocean, following the same trajectory as the previous flight.
Takeoff was scheduled for Monday, but ended up postponed until this Tuesday, from the company’s base in Boca Chica, Texas.
Source: Observadora
