Hi everybody and welcome back to the Elon Musk podcast out.
Today, we're diving deep into the surprising aftermath of
SpaceX is Starship launched on April 20th, 2023.
When the Port Isabel residents, awoke to a dust-covered town,
following the Monumental event many speculated that it was
debris from the disintegrated Launch Pad but really was it dr.
Phil Metzger a season planetary scientist steps in with the
spectral analysis that may shift our perspective.
Now we'll discuss His findings implications for NASA's lunar
launch pads and what this means for the future of space.
Travel plus, we'll touch on the subsequent FAA grounding and
what SpaceX might be doing differently in the next launch.
Now, as we prepare to embark on this intriguing journey into the
residual effects of a pivotal moment.
In space history, it's time to ask.
The question, was it dust from the launch pad?
Or just to really sandy day at the beach for Port Isabel
residence will dig into this right after this word from our
sponsors. He myth SpaceX is Starship, the
tallest and most powerful rocket ever flown.
Ignited, the Texas sky on its Maiden orbital test flight the
rocket which broke a 50-year record held by the Soviet N1 was
set to be a major milestone. In Space X is ambitious
Starship. Development program, the program
follows an iterative and incremental approach.
We're learning from each launch successful or otherwise is key
to the Project's Evolution. Now, prior to this launch space,
sex officials clarify that their measure of success was based on
quote, how much we can learn. And that not all Mission events
were required to transpired for the test to be deemed
successful. Now, the mission received
acknowledgement from important, public figures like NASA
administrator Bill Nelson and European Space Agency, director,
General Joseph. The mission received
acknowledgement from important public figures, like NASA,
administrator Bill Nelson and the European Space Agency
director General. Now they're Since signify, the
general perception that despite the challenges faced the launch
played a significant role in propelling The Starships further
development. The launches agenda was for the
Starship spacecraft to complete nearly one orbit around Earth
before re-entering the atmosphere culminating in a
controlled Landing. In the Pacific Ocean near
Hawaii. Now the super-heavy booster was
planned to perform a similar Landing in the Gulf of Mexico
around 20 miles. Off the Texas coast.
Roughly eight minutes after liftoff.
Now lift off with scheduled and 833 CDT from SpaceX, is private
launch site in Boca Chica Starbase Texas.
However, the sequence of events did not quite follow the plan
trajectory unexpected damage to the launch pad and surrounding
infrastructure. Triggered alarm Bells leading to
a ripple effect in the Boca Chica State Park as debris
scattered into it. Now, the vehicle managed to pass
Max Q, which is the dangerous part of the flight and enter
super On it flight. But technical issues with the
engines led to A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Now, lack of thrust and thrust vector control, prevented any
attempt to Stage separation, Starship started to Tumble
leading to the activation of the autonomous flight, termination
system, the A ftes. And although a FTS failed to
destroy the vehicle, an explosion occurred, 40 seconds
later ending, the flight prematurely nearly four minutes
in But this isn't where the Starship Saga ends, residents of
nearby Port Isabel, woke up to their Town blanketed in dust
following this launch initial speculation pointed to the
disintegrated, launch pads concrete and Van Dyke a highly
durable form of concrete as the source of this dust.
A SpaceX had wagered on the strength of the Van de Graaff,
to withstand the enormous forces at play during the launch, a
bet, this seemingly lost. When the material disintegrated
now. Enter dr.
Phil Metzger here. A season planetary scientist
from the University of Central Florida.
Boasting a career that spanned nearly three decades with NASA.
Followed by a 10 year at UCF. Since 2014, The Mystery of the
Dust fell into his purview and he was ready to apply as ears of
research in space debris. Particularly from NASA space
shuttle, launches to decipher the origin of the Port, Isabel
dust Now, contrary to initial hypothesis dr.
Metzger spectral analysis of the Dust did not detect elements of
the concrete, and fund egg from the launch pad.
Both the visible and infrared spectrum of the Dust showed, no
resemblance to the concrete samples found near the launch
site. However, as any scientist knows
a single set of results does not provide conclusive proof.
Thus the investigation deepens doctor Metzger's team plans to
acquire an analyze more samples to Validate these findings.
These analysis will be complemented by spectroscopy
which will discern the dust detailed chemical composition.
And if the outcome of these investigations also aligns with
the previous conclusion, the most likely source of the Dust
will be the beach sand from underneath the Launchpad.
Now, these findings are not merely of local importance but
hold wider implications. As it turns out, NASA is
particularly interested in the outcome of this investigation.
The dust from the Starship launch could offer insights for
the space agency. As it works on developing lunar
launch pads. SpaceX is Starship selected by
NASA, as a spacecraft to fear humans.
Back to the Moon is poised to play a critical role in future
lunar missions and according to dr.
Metzker NASA is interested in this research because it will
help inform how to build lunar launch pads.
We've never seen a Launchpad event like this.
It has similarities to expected failure modes.
On lunar launch pads. Now, another concern raised
post-launch was the potential health risk that the dust
particles might pose dr. Metzker reassures, that the size
of the Dust particles was generally too large to be
inhaled in the particles. Small enough to be breathable,
were insufficient in quantity to pose a health risk.
Now, despite the reassurance, the aftermath of SpaceX is
Starship. Launch has raised questions
about the possible health hazards linked to such events
following the launch. The FAA, granted the Impending a
quote mishap investigation to be conducted, jointly by the agency
and SpaceX and the FAA emphasize that a return to flight would be
contingent upon their assurance that future launches would not
compromise Public Safety. Now, researchers are also
actively assessing potential, health environmental impacts of
the launch, which scattered dust and particulate matter Beyond
any anticipated, debris Fields. Now this new Direction in the
aftermath of SpaceX is Starship launch.
A Shed light on an unexpected, aspect of space exploration,
raising both concerns and curiosity.
And as the is investigations deepen and the answers to these
quarries unfold, one thing's clear that dust or sand from
spacex's Starship. Launch is given us more than
just a spectacular sight. It's presented a new facet to
The Narrative of space. Exploration making us realize
that every launch successful or not brings with it a universe of
knowledge, the Journey of understanding, the aftermath of
spacex's Lon, Not merely a local investigation but a mission that
holds significant implications for the future of lunar
Expeditions and are expanding footprint into space.
The debris from the launch pad was not just physical remnants
but seeds for new questions and Revelations propelling us
towards a deeper understanding of our Cosmic Endeavors.
With our nearest neighbor. Our moon SpaceX is CEO, Elon
Musk expects. The next launch attempt for
Starship within the next few months.
And as we eight this next chapter in the unfolding
Starship space Saga one can only hope that the lessons from this
first launch will help us navigate the next launch in the
next launch and the next launch. Thank you so much for listening
to the show today. I appreciate your time and I
appreciate you spending it here with me and I also would like to
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