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Spacecraft development can be dangerous and explosive. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft prototype is an example. Explosions, ruptures, and failed landings are all possible with the fully-reusable launch system for future moon-and-Mars trips.
The video below shows all the major SpaceX failures, some intentional and others not. This supercut video was taken during Starship's initial development. The stacked Starship and Super Heavy rocket are 395 feet (120 m) tall. Starship was designed to perform complex flips and maneuvers on landing.
Starship, a new system that tries to do extraordinary things, is responsible for many of these failures. The footage shows the difficulties of spacecraft development. It is still entertaining. Below, learn more about Starship failures and the lessons learned.
Similar: View the evolution of SpaceX's rockets through pictures
SpaceX pressure test: Starship SN1 tank bursts
Spadre.com's Starship SN1 booster appeared to burst during a pressure testing at SpaceX's Boca Chica test site in Texas on February 29, 2020. Spadre.com, via YouTube.
SpaceX's SN1 proto broke apart during a pressure test at its launchpad near Boca Chica in Texas on February 28, 2020. The prototype was currently undergoing a liquid-nitrogen pressure test at the time. The prototype's midsection buckled and then shot upward before it crashed into the ground.
Video: Watch Starship SN1 explode in test
According to a series tweets, Elon Musk, the founder of the company seemed to take the loss in stride and was thinking ahead about strengthening SN2, according a series posted shortly after the explosion. "So how was your night?" One tweet was accompanied by a video showing the death of the prototype. The tweet was then followed by "It’s fine, well just polish it out" and then another tweet saying, "Where’s Flextape when it’s needed!"
SpaceX tests break apart Starship SN3
SpaceX's Starship SN3 prototype collides during a cryogenic pressure test at its Boca Chica facility in Texas on April 3, 2020. (Image credit to SPadre.com
Another cryogenic pressure test of prototype Starship SN3 failed (the SN2 article was okay). Starship SN3's proto tank burst on April 2, 2020. SN3 was trying show it could withstand high pressure from very cold fuel, which is being loaded in before launch.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN3 collapsing in test
Musk tweeted that SN3 had passed the ambient temperature test on Tuesday night. Musk stated in a tweet that "we will see what data review shows in the morning," adding, "Some valves leak at cryotemp." We are fixing and will retest soon.
Starship SN4 explodes after SpaceX engine test
SpaceX's Starship SN4 Rocket prototype explodes at its test stand near Boca Chica Texas, May 29, 2020. Spadre.com image credit
SpaceX's next prototype, Starship SN4, exploded in flames on May 29, 2020 shortly after a rocket engine test. Although the dramatic explosion occurred only minutes after SpaceX's Raptor rocket engine test, it was not immediately clear what caused it. Musk said that the company continues to learn from every test, just like previous explosions.
Video: Starship SN4 explodes in a huge fireball
Despite this, Starship SN4 was the Starship prototype that had the longest life expectancy and the most tested at the time. SN4 survived five static fire engine tests before exploding.
SpaceX launches Starship SN7 tank for purpose
SpaceX's Starship SN7 prototype test tank is placed on its pressure stand at SpaceX's Boca Chica facility, Texas on June 12, 2020. (Image credit: SPadre Cam/SPadre.com
SpaceX lost Starship SN4 and developed the SN5 & SN6 prototypes, before moving onto SN7 which was deliberately pushed to the brink of failure.
Starship SN7's prototype tank burst during a pressure test, but it was a planned failure. SN7 had just completed another pressure test, which resulted in a leak. The second test was much more dramatic due to the planned explosion.
SpaceX launches the Starship SN7 tank for purpose
Musk stated that the first test of the SN7 Starship Tank tank was a positive sign for its development. It leaked but didn't explode. He said that the company is moving from 301 stainless steel towards 304L.
Starship SN8 is destroyed by a fireball landing
SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype explodes after a test flight of 6 minutes and 42 seconds from its Boca Chica Texas test site on December 9, 2020.
On Dec. 9, 2020, the SN8 prototype flew a dramatic flight. It reached several milestones and then failed to land. The fireball erupted from the cockpit. The prototype reached an altitude of 7.8 miles (12.5 km) using its three Raptor engines.
The rocket stopped its engines at high altitude and did a "belly flip" to glide towards the launch pad. The rocket failed to land upright after firing its engines again before it landed. This was due to lower fuel tank head pressure.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN8 launches and explodes on landing
Musk was happy with the improvements. "SN8 did great!" Musk posted the following tweet on December 9. Musk wrote on Twitter Dec. 9: "Even reaching the apogee would have been great, so controlling all of the way to put the crater into the right spot was epic."
Starship SN9 flies high, but comes down hard
SpaceX's Starship SN9 prototype crashes during landing following a 10-kilometer test launch at the South Texas facility in Boca Chica, Texas on February 2, 2021. SpaceX Image Credit
SpaceX's Starship SN9 was able to climb higher than SN8 on February 2, 2021, before it experienced its own fiery explosion when it landed. It reached its target altitude at 6.2 miles (10 km) and performed a complex horizontal flip in order to simulate Earth's return to the atmosphere. After 6.5 minutes, it crashed into the landing spot and suffered a devastating end.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN9 crashes hard during landing
SpaceX principal integration engineer John Insprucker stated that "again, we've just had to work on the landing a bit," during SpaceX's launch Webcast. He said, "We have a lot of data and the primary goal to demonstrate control of vehicle in subsonic entry looked very good. We will take a lot from that."
Starship SN10 touches lands and then explodes
SpaceX's Starship SN10 Rocket prototype explodes following a successful liftoff at its South Texas launch site, March 3, 2021. SPadre.com provided this view. (Image credit: Spadre.com via YouTube
The prototype Starship SN10 did one better than its predecessor SN9 and soared to its altitude of 6.2 mi (10 km) on March 7, 2021. It then performed the horizontal re-entry flip exercise, before returning to the ground for a smooth landing. Unfortunately, flames could be seen near SN10's landing site shortly after landing. The vehicle quickly exploded on its launch pad.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN10 ace their landing and then explodes
Musk later stated on Twitter that the spacecraft was unable to land fast enough due to low thrust, likely due an issue with the fuel header tank. The landing was hard and crushed the landing legs as well as part of the engine skirt. The explosion occurred a few minutes later due to the damage.
Starship SN11 crashes during landing
SpaceX's SN11 prototype's three Merlin engines fired during its test flight on March 30, 2021. It crashed upon landing. (Image credit SpaceX
SpaceX's Starship SN11 was launched in thick fog on March 30, 2021. It would meet the same fate as its SN10 predecessor.
Starship SN11 flew at an altitude of 6.2 mi (10 km) and returned to Earth to attempt a landing. Its onboard cameras stopped working six minutes into the flight. It apparently exploded just above the landing strip before returning to Earth.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN11 launches in fog
John Insprucker (launch commentator for SpaceX) stated during the broadcast, "Looks like Starship Number 11 has had another exciting test." "Starship 11 will not be returning, don't wait for the landing.
Later, Elon Musk wrote that engine 2 on Starship SN11's Raptor engines had problems during ascent. The problem got worse when it was restarted for the landing burn. "Something significant occurred shortly after the landing burn started. Musk shared the information via Twitter at the time.
SpaceX was forced to halt launches after the Starship SN11 failure. It continued its development with several iterations. There was then a breakthrough.
Starship SN15 survives launch & landing
SpaceX's Starship SN15 prototype rocket launches on a 10-kilometer test flight at SpaceX Starbase near Boca Chica Village, South Texas, on May 5, 2021. SpaceX Image Credit
SpaceX's Starship SN15 prototype was launched on May 5, 2021 and landed safely. It didn't explode after landing.
This test flight took place on the 60th anniversary from the launch of Alan Shepard. It was a demonstration of all that SpaceX has learned while developing Starship.
Video: SpaceX's Starship SN15 launches and safely lands
SpaceX representatives stated that SN15 includes vehicle improvements across structures and avionics, as well as the engines that will allow for more speed and efficiency during production and flight.
SpaceX has been working on more Starship prototypes, and its booster, The Super Heavy, in preparation for an orbital flight. SpaceX stacked its Starship SN20 on top of a Super Heavy in August 2021. This made it the world's tallest rocket.
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