NASA's Bold Move for Future Missions

In an unexpected move that has captivated both the aerospace community and the general public, NASA has officially included SpaceX's colossal Starship rocket in its major commercial contract, the NASA Launch Services (NLS) II. This puts the world's most ambitious launch vehicle in the running for future missions, notwithstanding its troubling history of mid-air explosions and zero payload deliveries.

On March 28, NASA revealed that Starship is now the 10th rocket added to the NLS II contract, which features various spacecraft from private companies eligible for future missions. Alongside SpaceX's Starship, the list includes the Super Heavy and Falcon 9 rockets, alongside other notable entries like United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur and Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL, a workhorse for NASA since the early 1990s.

While the inclusion of Starship in this prestigious contract does not guarantee it will be deployed for NASA missions, it is noteworthy that there are no restrictions on how often each rocket can be selected for missions before the contract concludes in December 2032.

Risk Levels and Concerns

The launch vehicles are categorized into three risk levels: Category 1 (high risk), Category 2 (medium risk), and Category 3 (low risk). These classifications reflect their historical performance, with Category 3 rockets deemed the safest. Notably, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, added recently to the contract, was listed as high-risk despite a successful orbital launch, which may indicate that Starship could similarly find itself in Category 1.

Related concerns emerged over recent test flights, raising questions about the timeline for future missions. SpaceX is targeting operational readiness for Starship to participate in the Artemis mission set for mid-2027, which aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972. However, events from earlier flights have cast doubt on this ambitious schedule.

Elon Musk, the mastermind behind SpaceX, has consistently voiced his goal to utilize Starship for groundbreaking missions to Mars. Musk's ambitious plans, along with his partnerships and political connections, may have influenced NASA's decision to incorporate Starship into the NLS II despite its volatile test history.

The Rollercoaster of Starship Test Flights

Starship stands at an impressive height of 403 feet (123 meters), making it the tallest rocket ever built. Comprising two reusable stages, it is designed to revolutionize space travel. However, its test flights have been a tumultuous journey thus far.

Since its first launch in April 2023, Starship has gone through eight flights with mixed results. The inaugural test ended in disaster as the rocket exploded just four minutes after liftoff due to engine failure, necessitating an intentional detonation to prevent a crash landing—resulting in significant debris scattering across the surrounding area and raising environmental concerns.

In November 2023, the second test showcased two major failures: a booster detonation shortly after separation and a catastrophic failure of the upper stage that punched a temporary hole in the atmosphere, alarming scientists worldwide.

Subsequent tests brought mixed outcomes—while some flights managed to operate without an explosive ending, control over the rocket was lost during suborbital operations, leading to crashes in the Indian Ocean. Following a series of back-to-back explosions earlier this year, including a jaw-dropping fireball visible above the Caribbean, the stakes have never been higher.

Nonetheless, there is a silver lining; SpaceX achieved successful landings of the rocket's first stage during tests four through six, leveraging advanced technology akin to robotic arms capturing it mid-air like a giant pair of chopsticks. Every setback continues to provide valuable data, paving the way for future improvements and iterations of this colossal vehicle.

As SpaceX gears up for its next test flight later this month, spectators around the globe remain captivated. The world watches closely, hoping that amidst the trials and tribulations, Starship will evolve into the game-changer it was designed to be—propelling humanity toward new frontiers in space exploration.