SpaceX's Massive Rocket Explodes Due to Rapid Unscheduled Digging

SpaceX performed the debut launch of their next Generation Starship-Superheavy launch vehicle, and it didn't make it to orbit. But it was still very much a case of Excitment delivered as the vehicle destroyed its launchpad, had engines fail and parts explode as it ascenced, before finally spinning end over end until it was destroyed in a giant cloud of cryogenic propellents.

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[rescyn]

Watching what is effectivley a skyscraper do several cartwheels in the air was something I'll remember. Surprised the connections to Starship were strong enough to withstand those forces.

[fepatton]

As we were watching the launch, my son said, “That’s the most KSP launch ever!”

[Bizob]

When I saw it start tumbling, I was immediately reminded of many of my KSP rockets 🤣

[MIflyer]

That launch reminded me of an old story from the early days of the Atlas ICBM program. An Atlas was launched and the assembled group of program engineers watched anxiously. Groans broke out and became yells of dismay as the vehicle loss stability and performed a total of three loops before exploding. But while all this was happening there was one man who was cheering loudly, sounding like he was a rodeo. After the vehicle blew up the others turned to the cheering man and angrily asked what was wrong with him, didn't he realize that was a serious failure? He beamed back at them, clearly delighted. "Did you see those loops? That was fabulous! I'm with the structures group!"

[timschafer]

It would be very interesting to know if a majority of failures can be back traced to damage due to flying debris of stage zero. I would not be surprised if some engines were struck.

[philipkudrna]

Finally. The first serious and technically sound analysis of this event - in the Scott Manley quality we are used to expect. This as definitely worth the wait! Thank you very much! I also believe that stage zero is the main challenge - I never understood, why they did not build a proper flame diverter. It‘s quite different, if you start a solo starship with three engines or a super heavy booster with 33 engines. The crater is impressively massive!

[jaydonbooth]

Lmao, your live reaction was appropriate Scott. Also, holy crap that crater under the OLM was way worse than it looked in the first pic available.

[notme]

Tumbling around at nearly mach 2 and not immediately disintigrating was incredibly impressive to me.

[dillduvee]

I'm so happy they actually show you what's going on in real time. Feels like I'm watching a KSP video haha

[EASYTIGER]

I'm amazed the 2 bits of Starship stayed attached to each other for as long as they did. The stresses as it twisted and turned must have been incredible.

[RinAldrin]

I think my favorite part about watching this was when I noticed how the vapor trail was moving. I have played enough KSP to recognize that effect and I instantly went "welp it won't make it"

[Darisiabgal]

I think there are a couple of problems.
1. The one thing you noted was the lag, my concern is that the launch clamps held the vehicle a bit too long.
2. Once it actually started moving it actually had pretty good acceleration, i will have to inspect the telemtry, but it seems to be higher than net 2 meters per second.
- So I wonder if they thought they werent getting enough power, increased power to compensate for sticky launch clamp, and when that clamp finally released sent a shock wave up the system causing an O2 leak.

-The problem might not have been immediately obvious, when the craft passed max Q tears in the skin of the craft might have allowed reconvergece shock wave to damage internal components.

I think their rocket has too much fin on the top and not enough steering on the bottom. I would have the boost stage shorter and wider as this would give more control. Having it shorter means you have it higher of the pad and the ejecta is over a wider area, however see bottom, given the ISP this is hardly going to make that much of a difference.

BTW, i did note the debris, if you look carefully, as the main engines clear the smoke there were a couple of large pieces of debris following them. It could be the case that erosion of the launch base caused the launch clamps to bind. After the rocket launched there was a huge piece of debris that i spotted behind the Launch tower.

This ISP of those 327 which translates to an exhausted velocity of 3240 m/s or about 7000 mph. At the center of the plume its pretty much a gigantic plasma torch. Imagine that cutting through concrete.

[Togidubnus]

To me, the Manley Version is always the definitive version, and the wait was worth it. Deep insight as always. Thank you! I've got to say, though, that their Stage Zero was always going to be smithereens. I mean, what were they thinking? SLS very nearly wrote off its launch pad, so there was a precedent.

[eicdesigner]

I know next to nothing about rockets, but always come here for a thorough explanation that presents technical data in a relatable manner. Thank you again, Scott, for making a complicated subject easy for anyone to understand.

[amotriuc]

Thank you Scott, You are one of the few on YouTube who reports facts with good explanation and no hype. I do respect your integrity.

[bretthoffstadt]

Thanks Scott. I hadn't thought that blast debris knocked out a couple of engines (and possibly more damage) but now that seems very likely. Great recap and analysis!

[avsrule]

SpaceX engineers were patiently waiting for this video Scott could tell them what went wrong

[tperk]

Best technical explanation yet, Scott you do not disappoint.

[hjalfi]

I was waiting for this! It's not official until Scott Manley does an analysis! Also, I really hope SpaceX release all the on-board footage. I want to see all the details.

[TerrAkon]

I am honestly impressed how long and how many individual failures it took for the thing to explode. Great video.