Catastrophic SpaceX Starship Explosion Tore Hole Atmosphere Last Year

The Incident: SpaceX Starship Explosion

On November 18, 2023, SpaceX launched its superheavy Starship rocket for the second time from its Starbase test and manufacturing facility in Boca Chica, Texas. This launch, however, did not go as planned. Around 4 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first stage, which contains the main engines, detached from the upper part of the rocket as intended but unexpectedly exploded shortly afterward. This explosion occurred before the first stage could land back on Earth. Another 4 minutes later, the rest of the rocket experienced a larger "rapid unscheduled disassembly" at an altitude of about 93 miles (150 kilometers) above the ground. This second explosion was triggered by a fire that started when the rocket vented liquid oxygen.

The Impact on the Ionosphere

The second explosion had a significant impact on the Earth's ionosphere, the layer of the atmosphere between 50 and 400 miles (80 and 650 kilometers) above the surface where gases are ionized and turned into plasma. According to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters on August 26, 2024, this explosion temporarily created a large hole in the ionosphere. This is the first known instance of an ionospheric hole caused by a human-made explosion.

Mechanism of the Ionospheric Hole

Typically, ionospheric holes are formed due to chemical processes in the ionosphere resulting from interactions with rocket fuel. However, the hole created by the Starship explosion was different. It was caused by the shock wave generated by the explosion, which dispersed free electrons in the ionosphere. The fuel itself may have enhanced the ionospheric hole phenomenon but was not the primary cause of its formation. This distinction is crucial because it explains why no aurora-like light display was observed, unlike in cases where chemical reactions with fuel are the primary cause.

Observations and Recovery

The disturbance caused by the explosion was observed by multiple satellites and international ground-based stations. The affected part of the ionosphere took about 30 to 40 minutes to fully recover. Despite the temporary nature of the hole, the exact size of the disturbance remains unclear.

Significance and Future Research

This event is significant because it provides insights into the structure and dynamics of the ionosphere. As Yury Yasyukevich, the study's lead author, noted, "such catastrophic events as the explosion of a spacecraft are interesting precisely because you can see effects that the equipment is not able to detect during weaker events." This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ionosphere and the phenomena that occur within it, highlighting the need for further research into the effects of ionospheric holes.

Context: SpaceX and Ionospheric Holes

SpaceX rockets, particularly the Falcon 9, are known to create ionospheric holes during their operations. These holes usually occur during the separation of the first and second stages or when the rockets dump their fuel into the atmosphere. However, the Starship explosion's impact was unique due to the catastrophic nature of the event and the resulting shock wave.

Implications for Future Launches

While the immediate effects of this specific event were temporary and the ionosphere recovered quickly, the study raises questions about the potential impacts of frequent launches. As SpaceX aims to increase the cadence of its Starship launches, understanding the effects of such events on the ionosphere becomes increasingly important. This knowledge can help in mitigating any potential long-term consequences and ensuring the sustainability of space exploration.