Humans have explored vast and wonderful places on our own planet and beyond, but space travel is still very new. Despite the many advancements humanity has made over the last several decades, we still have a long way to go if we’re going to get to Mars. American interests in space continue to advance both from a government and private point of view. SpaceX is arguably the most prolific private sector entity looking to help NASA get astronauts back to the moon and maybe even to Mars. This is why so many eyes continue to watch the SpaceX Starship project. It’s also why there is concern that the November 2023 launch ended in an explosion. Suggested read: Wind Turbines Are the Latest Threat to Nuclear Security

SpaceX Starship Reaches New Heights but Fails to Meet All of Its Goals

It started off well. The SpaceX Starship was viewed around the world, thanks to the Internet, as it was ascending from Boca Chica, Texas and was heading into the heavens. Reaching 150 kilometers, the SpaceX Starship launch was the most successful one yet. But when the spacecraft reached these heights, for reasons still unknown as of this writing, an explosion would occur. The SpaceX Starship explosion came after it self-destructed over the Gulf of Mexico on November 18, 2023. This was eight minutes after its launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCH0NH1tt5k Just before the explosion, one of Starship’s rocket boosters had blown up as well when separating from the actual spacecraft. The investigation is ongoing and being led by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Related read: These Are the Best Black Friday Deals For Veterans

To the Moon and Beyond!

The goal for NASA is to put astronauts back on the Moon by 2030. This is a major feat and the government is looking to use 15 or more Starships to make it happen. But it’s hard to back such an ambitious mission when so far, there haven’t been successful launches. SpaceX Starship news is trending the right way but the lack of success with 2024 is still concerning. If there is a positive takeaway, unlike the launch in April 2023, there wasn’t massive damage to the launch site. The height reached broke records, and the booster successfully separated from the spacecraft. SpaceX didn’t reach its goal of flying around most of Earth before splashing down near Hawaii. One of the many steps that will get Americans to the Moon and eventually, to Mars. NASA provided over $4 billion in contracts to the brainchild of Elon Musk as it prepares for its Artemis III mission. The timeline for part of Artemis III would put humans on the Moon before 2026. However, with the lack of development, many believe this to be unrealistic. Suborbital flights, unmanned orbital flights, and proving the ability to refuel itself in low Earth orbit from other Starships acting as tankers are all milestones NASA is looking for. There is still time left but the work to be done is undeniable. Starbase, the gateway to Mars, will continue to have eyes on its developments.

How Much Did SpaceX Starship Cost?

SpaceX Starship's cost should be under $10 billion for the entire program. Some estimates believe the project can be done with as little as $5 billion, but as more and more research is necessary, costs could inflate over time. Such funding comes from the private sector and government contracts. These types of initiatives highlight the importance and determination of American interests in space. It’s also why the creation and further implementation of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) is so important. For now, space travel isn’t near what it will be in the future. While not everyone has the funding of Elon Musk or Richard Branson, it’s still clear that more space exploration is underway. The next SpaceX Starship launch will require approval from the FAA, and will continue to prove resilience for America’s quest to advance space exploration once more. Read next: Best 2023 Walmart Black Friday Deals for the Military Community