美“星舰”第九次试飞爆炸失控

Core Points - SpaceX's Starship conducted its ninth test flight on May 27, 2023, from Texas, but experienced a failure during the mission [2][3] - The first stage booster exploded, and although the second stage spacecraft entered space, it lost control and failed to deploy its payload [2][3] - SpaceX confirmed the loss of control over the spacecraft, with debris expected to fall into the Indian Ocean [3] Flight Details - The ninth flight marked the first use of a flight-validated Super Heavy booster, which had previously been used in the seventh flight test [5] - The booster was not intended to return to the launch site but aimed for a soft landing in the Gulf of Mexico [5] - The mission included testing multiple objectives, including the deployment of eight prototype Starlink satellites [6] Technical Aspects - Starship is approximately 120 meters long and 9 meters in diameter, designed for reusability to transport people and cargo to various destinations [4] - The spacecraft's heat shield was modified to address issues identified in previous flights, and various materials were tested for their protective capabilities [6] - The main engines of the Starship are designed to provide a maximum thrust of about 7600 tons [6] Future Plans - Elon Musk indicated that future test flights will occur every 3 to 4 weeks, aiming to accelerate the development process [3] - SpaceX is under pressure to meet deadlines for the Starship's operational capabilities, particularly for upcoming lunar missions [7] - The U.S. Space Force is closely monitoring the progress of Starship for potential military applications, although no specific military plans have been confirmed yet [8]