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649 points chinathrow | 2 comments | 16 Jan 25 21:25 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source

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terramex ◴[16 Jan 25 23:04 UTC] No.42732041[source]▶

>>42731091 (OP) #

Looks like second stage broke up over Caribbean, videos of the debris (as seen from ground):

https://x.com/deankolson87/status/1880026759133032662?t=HdHF...

https://x.com/realcamtem/status/1880026604472266800

https://x.com/adavenport354/status/1880026262254809115

Moment of the breakup:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE52_hVSeQz/

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teractiveodular ◴[16 Jan 25 23:13 UTC] No.42732149[source]▶

>>42732041 #

The last one is stage separation, not an explosion. You can clearly see the "exploded" rocket continuing to fly afterwards.

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walrus01 ◴[16 Jan 25 23:24 UTC] No.42732236[source]▶

>>42732149 #

That's for sure not stage separation, that's an explosion from the FTS rupturing the ship tanks.

replies(2): >>42732272 #>>42732587 #

1. ericcumbee ◴[17 Jan 25 00:09 UTC] No.42732587[source]▶

>>42732236 #

If it was the FTS wouldn't the flight control systems send a message back to the ground saying "things are going sideways here, FTS Activated"

replies(1): >>42733353 #

2. anothertroll456 ◴[17 Jan 25 02:15 UTC] No.42733353[source]▶

>>42732587 (TP) #

Maybe it did, or is it public that it didn't? A possible sequence (very typical in rocket failures) is: fire, engine failure(s), loss of control, rupture due to aero forces or FTS activation, explosion due to propellant mixture. Not all of these have to happen, but it's a typical progression. Before the days of AFTS the FTS activation would be pretty delayed.

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Starship Flight 7