March 6, 2025 was a key day for space exploration: some problems for Spacex with the launch of Starship 8 and successes (full or partial) for others …
On March 6, 2025 he was expected as a crucial day for astronautics, with three highly important events: the second flight of the rocket Ariane 6the landing of the Lander Athena on the moon and the test of Starship 8 of Spacex, who should have brought the booster back to the ground and try a controlled landing in the ocean. However, the day recorded significant successes and problems.
Starship 8: partial success, but final explosion
In the night between 6 and 7 March, Spacex launched the eighth trial flight of the megarazzo Starship. The booster Super Heavy It successfully returned to the base in Texas, demonstrating for the third time that the capture technique with the tower arms works properly.
The second stage StarshipInstead, he suffered problems during the rise phase: several of the six engines Raptor They won, compromising the vehicle control. The contact was lost about nine minutes after the launch and the spaceship was probably exploded immediately after.
The test involved the deployment of fictitious loads similar to Starlink satellites and a controlled landing in theIndian Oceanbut the fault interrupted the mission. This failure recalls that of flight 7when Starship went lost during the return. Spacex is analyzing the data to understand the causes of the failure, after already trying to mitigate the problems with a test of prolonged static fire On the ground before the flight.
Ariane 6: a new step for Europe in space
From the French guyana, Arianespace has successfully completed the second launch of the rocket Ariane 6the first of 2025. This flight represents an important confirmation for Europe, strengthening its autonomous access capacity for space.
The rocket transported the satellite CSO-3part of the French military reconnaissance program Optical Space Component. The success of the mission was underlined by the optimal operation of all the ignitions of the engine Win of the upper stadium, an improvement compared to the inaugural flight. Ariane 6 it is high 56 meters And it includes several other launches during the year.
Athena: successful landing, but critical position
The Lunar Lander Athenadeveloped by Intuitive machineslanded on the moon, but he tilted himself on one side. Despite the inconvenience, it is still operational and is transmitting data, with solar cells that generate energy. The problem seems due to a defect in the landing system, similar to the one that had compromised the mission Odysseus.
Athena can operate for about 10 daysuntil the sun sets, preventing the recharging of the batteries.
However, its position could limit the completion of some scientific experiments. The Lander transports tools for the study of the lunar soil, a small one hopper for short -range explorations and other communication tools.
