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Tue, Apr 07, 2020

Another Setback For The SpaceX Starship

Most Recent Prototype 'Failed Spectacularly' During Cryogenic Proof Testing

SpaceX suffered another setback in the development of its Starship reusable spacecraft when a third prototype suffered what was described as a "catastrophic" failure during cryogenic proof testing last week.

TechCrunch reports that the test was designed to simulate pressures the spacecraft would encounter during a test flight. The SN3 prototype crumpled on the launch stand at the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, TX.

It is unlikely that SpaceX will attempt to repair the SN3 test article. In a Tweet, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk said that the failure "may have been a test configuration mistake" and not an issue with the spacecraft itself, but that would need to be confirmed by a data review.

SpaceX is expected to move forward with its SN4 prototype, which was to have been a high-altitude flight test article, but that may not happen given the results of the SN3 test.

(Image from NASA video)

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