yacht starship iii

Yacht StarShip

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Yacht StarShip - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

About this venue.

Yacht StarShip’s fleet of four luxury yachts is perfect for any size event from 25 – 600 guests and features top-quality service, breathtaking views, entertainment, and award-winning cuisine. An ideal choice for private charters in the central Florida region, Yacht StarShip is America’s First Dining Yacht to be recognized by AAA with a three-diamond rating. With our premium brand of service, Yacht StarShip is the only dining yacht of its kind in the South. We offer a place like no other for business, pleasure, or a spectacular combination of both. If you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind venue for your next event, cruise aboard Yacht StarShip. Whether it’s a corporate event, networking meeting, convention, wedding, banquet, gala, bar/bat mitzvah, or a social get-together, you’re sure to get glowing reviews from your guests!

Seated guest capacity

• Beaches, Waterfront Settings
• Hotels, Inns, Resorts

Venue setting

• Covered Outdoor

Our event spaces

Yacht starship i, yacht starship ii, yacht starship iii, yacht starship iv.

Florida’s largest dining yacht! At 180-feet, this exquisite yacht has 3 decks, with four separate dining rooms to enjoy during your experience.

After dining guest will enjoy the expansive promenade deck for sightseeing and dancing. Ceremonies for 300 on the Promenade deck, bridal suite, and four separate dining areas make this yacht ideal for wedding parties of 50 – 400 passengers. Exterior Decks: The largest Promenade deck in Florida with space for 600 guests for fireworks, covered dance floor with cool mister fans in summer and heaters in winter. The 2nd deck veranda has exterior covered seating for 42.

Guest capacity

20-400 Seated

20-600 Standing

Square footage

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party

Guests often feel this space is

“ Luxurious and chic ”

Florida’s largest 150-passenger dining yacht! At 130 feet this exquisite yacht has three decks, a main dining room, lounge deck and Promenade deck.

Ceremonies for 125 on the Promenade deck, bridal suite, lounge deck and main dining room make this yacht ideal for wedding parties of 125 passengers or less.

20-125 Seated

20-150 Standing

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower, Engagement party

At 92 feet and two decks, this yacht has a private yacht feel. A great yacht for groups of 125 passengers or less.

Ceremonies for 80 on the second deck and a main dining room that seats 80 make this yacht ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions of 80 passengers or less. Reception only of 100 passengers or less.

20-125 Standing

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party

Ceremonies for 125 on the Promenade deck, bridal suite, lounge deck and main dining room make this yacht ideal for wedding parties of 125 passengers or less. The Promenade deck can accommodate 125 guests for 360-degree views, feels like you’re floating 30 feet off the water. You can see it all! Dazzling entertainment for dancing on the lounge deck. The Cruise Director (DJ) can play to any crowd, making the dance floor the most popular place to be after dining.

20-150 Seated

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Engagement party, After party

Available services that can be provided by Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events

Services & amenities.

• Bar services
• Catering services
• Dance floor
• Dressing room / Bridal Suite
• Event coordinator
• Lighting/Sound
• On-site accommodations
• Service staff
• Wheelchair accessible

Best day of our lives!!

From the moment we connected with Wendy we knew we had chosen the right venue. We are from Saint Louis, so trying to find venues 1000 miles away was stressful! This was the first place we flew down to see and it was instant (we legit didn’t look anywhere else!) Amelia, our wedding coordinator was soooooooooo patient and kind answering all our questions! We actually had our wedding dress and suit lost, (8 days before the wedding!) and she saw my post on social media and called just to make sure I was okay! She didn’t have to do that, but she did (believe it or not we didn’t find the dress, but we located exact matches in Tampa when we landed!) Every detail was carefully crafted to ensure our day was magical! The entire team worked so hard to make sure even the smallest things were taken care of. We made some really good friends with the staff, and we cannot wait to come back for our anniversary! Thank you SO much for everything you have done for us! You truly made us feel loved and special! Also, can we talk about the food! Multiple guests told us it was the BEST wedding door they had ever had! If you’re thinking about this venue, please just give them a call! I’ve never been so fortunate to work with such amazing human beings! Thank you again for being a part of the best day of our lives!

Highly recommend

Google Sign in Filters and Topics Maps News Images Videos Shopping Books Flights Finance Ads Sponsored yachtstarship.com http://www.yachtstarship.com Dine, Cruise & Celebrate - Yacht Starship - Tampa Bay 3-Diamond Rated Dining. Tampa's best venue for date night, groups and events! Stunning Sunset Cruises. One-of-a-Kind Venue. Services: Private Charters, Weddings, Special Events, Public Cruises, Corporate and Convention, Birthday, Bachelor(ette) Parties. Tampa Dinner Cruises Clearwater Dining Cruises Luxury Yacht Weddings Dining Cruises Private Charters Search Results Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events 4.4 (1.5K) · Event venueClosed 2,627 OverviewReviewsPhotosUpdatesProductsAbout Main Results Google review summary 4.4 (1,501) Rate and Review on Google Reviews Alldinner 137 boat 89 DJ 59 crew 53 6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest Nikki Davidson 3 reviews 16 hours ago NEW Couldn’t make our travel plans due to Covid and staffing shortage as a healthcare Professional. We tried to wait and see if we could make it to the area on vacation but due to staffing shortage I’ve been unable to take a vacation. Refused … More Guy Bensley 18 reviews·3 photos a day ago NEW Scott Holmes Local Guide·9 reviews 3 days ago NEW Lovely Brooks Local Guide·17 reviews·3 photos 5 days ago NEW Awesome experience... Parking what's a bit of a hassle... Drove around over twenty minutes looking...Limited information on further parking... Judy Sadler Local Guide·14 reviews·2 photos 5 days ago NEW Wedding 3/23/23 I can't say enough amazing things about the Yacht Starship! Our gorgeous Yacht was Starship II We worked with Wendy Odom & Eric Abril both were so accommodating, answered every question and concern with the utmost professionalism! The wedding went smooth as silk, we were guided every step of the way. Talk about attentive, the entire staff was exceptional! Anything we needed wanted or desired was foreseen by a staff member and delivered before we even asked! We had a sit down dinner for the reception. We chose steak, chicken or salmon everyone said their food was delicious! The DJ was great. the entire evening couldn't have been more PERFECT! Highly recommend

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code for yacht starship, is the vessel handicap accessible, may i bring my own camera on board, are drones allowed on board, do you offer any vegetarian, vegan or gluten free options, what is your peak season, do you offer gift cards, i do not have a credit card. can i make a reservation.

18 Zola couples have booked

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Here's what we know about the Florida company that's trying to buy the Spirit of Peoria

Later this month, Peoria's City Council is set to decide whether or not to step in and purchase the Spirit of Peoria riverboat from owner Alex Grieves for $1 million.

Grieves already has a Florida-based buyer lined up for the boat, according to city documents released publicly. But the city can opt to match the offer under its agreement letting the Spirit dock here.

Neither Grieves nor the company responded to phone messages seeking comment on the sale. But here's what we know about Yacht Starship Cruises of Tampa, the "luxury cruise yacht" company that could become the Spirit's new owner. 

'Pulled at my Peoria heartstrings': Impassioned plea delays vote on Spirit of Peoria sale

What we know about Yacht Starship Cruises 

Started in 2001 by CEO Troy Manthey, Yacht Starship Cruises offers public and private charter cruises out of Tampa Bay and Clearwater, Florida, according to its website. It is a 145-employee operation.

Manthey, a Coast Guard-licensed captain and pilot, represents the fifth generation in his family to be involved in operating passenger vessels. The family history in the business dates to 1884.

The current company boasts six ships in its fleet, and the Spirit of Peoria paddlewheeler would be the second that's a bit different from the main theme for the company's vessels.

Related: Why Peoria's city council may let the Spirit of Peoria go — and what might replace it

What are the other ships it has?

The flagship vessel in the company's fleet is Yacht Starship, a 180-foot, 600-passenger yacht constructed in 2000. Company material online cites it as Florida's largest dining yacht. 

Their fleet also includes Yacht Starship II, a 150-passenger, 130-foot vessel; Yacht Starship III, a 125-passenger, 92-foot yacht; and Yacht Starship IV, a 150-passenger, 130-foot ship.

Adding some quirk to its fleet of ships is the Lost Pearl.  Rigged to look like a pirate ship, it offers guests "swashbuckling activities," dolphin sightings and water gun fights. It is a 150-foot vessel. 

Peoria business: Critics blame City Hall for Peoria's poor business reputation. And some of them work there

Yacht Starship Cruises also has five "pirate water taxis," the largest of which can accommodate 100 people. They operate daily, taking patrons on water tours of Tampa Bay with "frequent stops along the river walk."

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Tampa Dining Cruise

• Presented By: Yacht StarShip
• Time: 5:30 PM

Yacht StarShip

• 603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
• Price: Dinner & Cruise: Adult: $79.95 – $119.95 plus tax, marine fee, and $10 gratuity paid on board to server Child (ages 2-12): $54.95 – $94.95 plus tax, marine fee, and $5 gratuity paid on board to server Cruise-Only (No Dinner): Adult: $49.95 – $74.95 plus tax, marine fee, and $5 gratuity  Child (ages 2-12): $29.95 – $54.95 plus tax, marine fee, and $5 gratuity Limit four drinks per person to guests not dining Infants (under 2): Free, but please include in your reservation Prices are subject to change based on timing and availability. Price does not include tax, marine fee and gratuity.

Set sail on Yacht StarShip with the ultimate dining cruise and cocktail adventure on the waterways of Tampa Bay. Take in spectacular views of Downtown Tampa while enjoying a Free at Sea complimentary open bar*. Whether you’re a beer drinker, wine lover, or cocktails are more your style, it’s all free with your cruise ticket. It’s time to escape and relax with the best views of Tampa, dinner aboard America’s first 3-Diamond rated dining yacht, dancing on the top deck, and an open bar that’s free at sea!  *Times and dates are subject to change. This is an ongoing event that happens weekly at Yacht Starship.*    

www.yachtstarship.com

New upscale dining river cruise brings unique experience to Tampa

by: Brody Wooddell

Posted: Sep 21, 2023 / 11:39 AM EDT

Updated: Sep 21, 2023 / 11:39 AM EDT

Tampa, Fla (BLOOM) – Tampa residents and visitors can look forward to a fresh and unique dining experience as Yacht Starship Dining Cruises introduces “Craft,” Tampa’s first dining river cruiser. This purpose-built vessel, representing a significant multi-million-dollar investment, is set to create employment opportunities in Tampa while offering a distinctive approach to dining on the water.

Craft has been a long-cherished vision for Yacht Starship Dining Cruises, stemming from their first Tampa cruise more than two decades ago. This specialized vessel aims to redefine the cruising scene in Tampa by providing guests with an exceptional culinary and cocktail river journey. Notably, Craft’s design allows it to navigate under the city’s low bridges, offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Troy Manthey, the President and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for this new addition, saying, “Craft signifies a new era of cruising in Tampa that is certain to exceed guest expectations. We are proud to contribute to Tampa’s recognition as a top destination for boat tours.”

Craft boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 130 feet in length and accommodating up to 150 passengers. Resembling European river cruise ships, it introduces several innovations to the U.S passenger vessel industry, such as an open kitchen with a gas grill and stove, a vintage wooden cruiser serving as a bar, and multiple seating options, including indoor, outdoor, and bar seating. It also utilizes diesel outboard propulsion for its displacement dining cruise, a first of its kind.

Chef Allison Beasman, previously the Executive Chef at Edison Food and Drink Lab, will curate the culinary offerings aboard Craft. The open kitchen concept allows guests to observe meal preparation while enjoying craft cocktails from the bar. Chef Beasman is eager to bring a unique dining concept to Tampa, promising memorable meals crafted from fresh local ingredients.

Reservations for Craft’s cruises will be available soon, with the first voyages scheduled to commence in Fall 2023. For further details, interested individuals can visit Craft’s official website or follow updates on social media platforms.

Yacht StarShip, renowned for its blend of cuisine, casual elegance, and live entertainment, has been a part of Tampa’s community since 2001. Apart from Craft, its fleet includes Pirate Water Taxi, Lost Pearl pirate adventure cruise, Bay Rocket speed boat thrill ride, Tampa Riverwalk Rentals, and more.

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Attributes highlighted by couples

On WeddingWire since 2011

Yacht StarShip is a cruise-ship wedding venue located in Tampa, Florida. This company features an array of dining cruises and luxury yachts for couples to host their romantic celebrations right at sea. The attentive on-site staff and all-inclusive packages ensure that soon-to-be-weds will have a stress-free, unforgettable voyage.

Facilities and Capacity

Yacht StarShip has four luxury yachts to choose from, each featuring both outdoor and indoor event spaces. They make an ideal setting for a variety of celebrations, from ceremonies with 25 close friends and family to receptions with 300 guests. A couple's yacht will go along the Tampa Bay or Clearwater Beach as they enjoy their first day as newlyweds. The open-air spaces give couples the chance to say "I do" with the Downtown Tampa skyline as a backdrop. Elegant decor items will be provided to add a sophisticated touch to your special day.

Services Offered

Couples will have a variety of packages to choose from, each with different amenities to suit their vision and budget. A wedding coordinator will be present during your rehearsal dinner and wedding day, to make sure everything goes according to plan. The onsite catering team customizes each soon-to-be-wed's menu to feature their favorite dishes and flavors. From your hors d'oevres to your dessert display, to your cocktail menu, they will work to make sure all of your guests have an enjoyable evening. Yacht StarShip also has different enhancements to complete a couple's dream day, including:

• Specialty linens
• Ice sculptures
• Custom ring buoys

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue, do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue, which of the following are included in starting site fee, which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering, which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service, what is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue, how many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer, describe your venue:, what kind of settings are available, which of the following wedding events does your venue service, what event services do you offer, what catering services do you offer, what bar services do you provide, what event items are available, what food and beverage items are available, what transportation and access is available, what months are included in your peak season, what months are included in your off-peak season.

• Quality of service 4.9 out of 5 rating 4.9
• Average response time 4.9 out of 5 rating 4.9
• Professionalism 4.9 out of 5 rating 4.9
• Value 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Flexibility 4.9 out of 5 rating 4.9

Review summary

Yacht Starship is highly recommended by multiple reviewers for weddings. The staff, including event coordinators Joey, Amelia, Wendy, Eric, Rachel, and Christine, were praised for their exceptional service and attention to detail. The food was described as delicious and the organization of the events was highly appreciated. The unique experience of having a wedding on a yacht was a highlight for many guests, and the overall experience was deemed smooth and perfect.

Absolutely Amazing

Best choice for rehearsal dinner

December Wedding

Are you interested?

Real Weddings

Chris is a Yacht StarShip Wedding Pro with over 20 years in the industry. From the moment you meet Chris you'll fall in love with her attention to detail and amazing customer service. Our couples adore working with Chris from booking to planning a wedding event she's the best in the business!

Professional Network & Endorsements

The Yacht Starship is such a unique event space will gorgeous views! We love working with their team of professionals. We've photographed events large and small and would highly recommend them!

We love the Yacht Starship! Every event, no matter the type or size, is given the utmost attention. There is nothing left to chance, the best food, beautiful sites, wonderful event coordinators, what's not to love?

We are BLOWN AWAY by our experience! The staff was so professional and sweet - class act, five-star service! And this is after they serviced a wedding earlier in the day! And the FOOD! Omgosh we were so pleasantly surprised! We eat a lot of catered food obviously lol and did not expect much for the food - but WOW were we wrong! Everything was DELICIOUS! Our favorites were the homemade salad dressing, prime rib and the creamy tomato soup. And the bread pudding!!!!! My goodness we felt spoiled! We are so very grateful for this experience. We truly had a lovely evening enjoying this experience and of course the beautiful boat ride and scenery. We even made it to the dance floor!

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Yacht StarShip

• United States
• Tampa / Central Florida West

YACHT STARSHIP DINING CRUISES

Not available on opentable.

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Additional information

• Dining style Fine Dining
• Price $50 and over
• Cuisines American
• Hours of operation Brunch Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Thu–Sun 5:00 pm–11:30 pm
• Phone number (813) 223-7999
• Website http://yachtstarship.com/
• Payment options AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
• Dress code Resort Casual
• Executive chef Michael Russel
• Location 603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602-5443
• Neighborhood Tampa
• Parking details Parking is available in the Channelside area at the Tampa Port Authority Parking Garage: 369 South 12th Street, Tampa, Florida, 33602 located across the street from our location. You will receive a discounted parking rate by showing your cruise confirmation.
• Additional Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Be the first to review this restaurant

Overall ratings and reviews.

• 4.3 Service
• 4.3 Ambience

Noise • Moderate

At present, YACHT STARSHIP DINING CRUISES has no reviews. Please add a review after your dining experience to help others make a decision about where to eat.

603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602-5443

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TAMPA BAY'S PREMIER DINING YACHTS

Tampa   •   st. petersburg   •   clearwater.

603 Channelside Drive Tampa, FL 33602

Click Here to Make  Your Reservations!

Year-round fine dining lunch & dinner cruises out of Channelside in Tampa Bay!

Featuring a narrated daytime tour with over 17 Attractions & Museums, 24 Restaurants and 13 Parks!

Yacht StarShip, America's First 3-diamond rated Dining Yacht by AAA, ranks in the top 28% of all restaurants. Our exquisite dining cruises offer private seating, tableside service, spectacular views and dancing under the stars.

​ ​"Create a Sea of Memories" with group celebrations on the water as well as Weddings, Receptions, Corporate Outings, Holiday Parties, Convention Gatherings, Banquets, Galas, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Social Events, Birthdays, and Anniversaries. We are conveniently docked in Channelside in Downtown Tampa between the Florida Aquarium and the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Just minutes from the Tampa Convention Center, Ybor City, Tampa Riverwalk and Downtown Tampa Hotels!​

With three yachts to choose from, Yacht StarShip is the perfect special event venue for groups from 2 - 600.

Best Value of the Year!

Party Like a Yacht Star!

Cruising nightly in Clearwater Beach!

Vote Best All-Around Restaurant

Tampa Bay's Premier Dining Yachts | Tampa •  St. Petersburg •  Clearwater

New site coming soon, yacht starship's new website .

YachtStarShip.com is undergoing a make-over and we are excited to announce that a New Website is Coming Soon ! 

Please be advised that saved bookmarks and links will change with the rollout of the new site.

Get Involved!

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SpaceX Starship Disintegrates After Completing Most of Third Test Flight

SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft, atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket, lifts off on its third launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight, near Brownsville, Texas, U.S. March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Cheney Orr

By Joe Skipper, Steve Gorman and Joey Roulette

BOCA CHICA, Texas (Reuters) -SpaceX's Starship rocket, designed to eventually send astronauts to the moon and beyond, completed nearly an entire test flight through space on its third try on Thursday, getting farther than ever before, but disintegrated on its return to Earth.

During a webcast of the flight, SpaceX commentators said mission control lost communication with Starship from two satellite systems simultaneously while the spacecraft was re-entering the planet's atmosphere at hypersonic speed.

The spacecraft at that point was nearing a planned splashdown in the Indian Ocean, about an hour after launch from south Texas.

Contact with Starship cut out moments after a live video feed from a camera mounted on the vehicle showed high-definition images of a reddish glow enveloping the silvery spacecraft from the heat of re-entry friction as it plunged earthward.

A few minutes later, SpaceX confirmed that the spacecraft had been "lost" - meaning incinerated or broken apart - during the stress of re-entry.

For reasons that were left unclear, SpaceX opted to skip one of the test flight's core objectives - an attempt to re-ignite one of Starship's Raptor engines while it coasted in a shallow orbit. That milestone is considered key to its future success.

Still, completion of many of Starship's intended flight objectives represented progress in the development of a spacecraft crucial to the growing satellite launch business of SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, and NASA's moon program.

NASA chief Bill Nelson congratulated SpaceX on what he called "a successful test flight" in a statement posted on social media platform X. The U.S. space agency is SpaceX's biggest customer.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell wrote in an X post that the test marked an "incredible day."

The two-stage spacecraft, consisting of the Starship cruise vessel mounted atop its towering Super Heavy rocket booster, blasted off from the company's Starbase launch site near Boca Chica Village on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The upper-stage Starship reached peak altitudes of 145 miles (234 km).

The spacecraft far exceeded its two past performances, both of which were cut short by explosions minutes after launch. The company had acknowledged in advance a high probability that its latest flight might similarly end with the spacecraft's demise before the mission profile was finished.

SpaceX's engineering culture, considered more risk-tolerant than many of the aerospace industry's more established players, is built on a flight-testing strategy that pushes spacecraft to the point of failure, then fine-tunes improvements through frequent repetition.

ENGINEERING GOALS

Thursday's flight achieved many of the engineering goals set for the mission: a repeat of successful stage separation during initial ascent; the first test of Starship's ability to open and close its payload door in orbit; and the transfer of super-cooled rocket propellant from one tank to another during spaceflight.

What SpaceX failed to demonstrate on top of Starship's re-entry failure and the skipped engine re-ignition test was an attempt to fly the Super Heavy rocket back to Earth, part of SpaceX's routine strategy of recovering its launch boosters for re-use.

SpaceX officials have said they plan to conduct at least six more test flights of Starship this year, subject to regulatory approval.

The company is required to investigate each test mission failure and deliver its findings and corrective actions to the Federal Aviation Administration for the agency's approval before the vehicle can fly again.

On the whole, Thursday's test encompassed a fraction of the remaining demonstrations and missions the vehicle must get through before it is proven safe enough to fly people to space.

Still, Musk is counting on Starship to fulfill his goal of producing a large, multipurpose next-generation spacecraft capable of sending people and cargo to the moon later this decade, and ultimately flying to Mars.

Closer to home, Musk also sees Starship as eventually replacing the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as the workhorse in the company's commercial launch business. It already lofts most of the world's satellites and other payloads to low-Earth orbit.

NASA also has a lot riding on the success of Starship, which the agency is giving a central role in its Artemis program, successor to the Apollo missions that put astronauts on the moon for the first time more than 50 years ago.

While NASA executives have embraced Musk's frequent flight-testing approach, agency officials in recent months have made clear their desire to see greater progress with Starship's development as the United States races with China to the lunar surface.

(Reporting by Joe Skipper in Boca Chica, Texas, Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Joey Roulette in Washington; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Will Dunham and Chizu Nomiyama)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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SpaceX’s 3rd Starship launch makes it to space without exploding, but lost on reentry

S paceX’s powerful Starship and Super Heavy rocket completed a more successful third orbital test flight from Texas on Thursday morning with no explosive endings on the way up that marred the first two test flights in 2023.

The way down, though, still saw more destructive ends as the first-stage booster came in at more than 600 mph hitting the Gulf of Mexico and the upper stage spacecraft broke up on reentry halfway around the Earth. The overall mission, though, was considered a success by SpaceX officials.

“This is the furthest that we’ve gotten in our test flight, but the further we fly, the more data that we can get and that’s ultimately the measure of success here,” said SpaceX commentator and quality systems engineering manager Kate Tice. “I think today has been a huge success, given where we were, we’d gone, and how much further we’ve gotten with both the booster and Starship itself.”

The Federal Aviation Administration announced late Wednesday it had granted SpaceX a license for the Orbital Flight Test 3, and the 396-foot-tall rocket took flight at 9:25 a.m. EDT from the company’s Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX is continuing test flights from Texas, but has stated it plans to shift operations to the Space Coast once the spacecraft is deemed operational. SpaceX has already begun construction on a Starship launch tower at Kennedy Space Center and is in talks to build out a site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

NASA is also eagerly awaiting Starship to come to fruition so it can support the Artemis III mission as the lander that will bring humans including the first woman back to the moon’s surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. That mission could come as soon as September 2026.

“Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight! Starship has soared into the heavens,” posted NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on X. “Together, we are making great strides through Artemis to return humanity to the moon — then look onward to Mars.”

To get there, though, more SpaceX test flights must continue from Texas, with as many as six more planned for 2024, according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The third one was a step forward in its efforts.

The Super Heavy booster’s 33 Raptor engines that produce more than 17 million pounds of thrust on liftoff performed just as well as the last flight. They remained lit until SpaceX performed a hot staging maneuver during which all but three of the Raptor engines shut down while letting the Starship upper stage light its engines and safely separate. The Starship then continued its climb into space for a suborbital trip that took it east for an attempt to splash down in Indian Ocean.

The second launch attempt in November saw both the Super Heavy booster explode on its way back down to the Gulf of Mexico and Starship self destruct before it completed its ascent burn.

This time, though, the Super Heavy booster made it closer back to Earth, although not completing what SpaceX had planned, a controlled burn right above the surface of the Gulf to demonstrate its capability to land similar to how Falcon 9 first-stage boosters land. SpaceX lost control of the booster, though, still traveling more than 600 mph when it hit the water.

Attention turned to the Starship upper stage then, as it completed its burn less than 10 minutes after launch and began a 30-minute coast phase during which SpaceX performed some new tests including the opening and closing of the spacecraft’s payload door and a fuel transfer demonstration on board the spacecraft.

Images of reentry delivered via a Starlink satellite flying on board that connected to SpaceX’s constellation showed plasma buildup surrounding the spacecraft just under 62 miles altitude with cheers from SpaceX employees coming in waves in the background during the broadcast. Imagery cut out with Starship still traveling at 16,500 mph at about 46 miles altitude.

“This was wild. We’ve never seen the super hot plasma grow in real-time,” Musk posted to X.

“We’re not expecting Starship to survive the impact,” said SpaceX’s Dan Huot during the broadcast. “We’re not going to be recovering any of the hardware.”

Huot said data from the Starlink broadcast cut out at the same moment as the tracking and data relay satellite, so that could mean the spacecraft came apart on reentry.

“It is a realistic possibility that we lost our ship, which honestly was always on the table,” Tice said. “We didn’t know how far it was going to get. The further we could fly and the more data we could collect was always the biggest win.”

Huot confirmed the spacecraft known as Ship 28 was lost.

“So no splashdown today,” he said. “It’s incredible to see how much further we got this time around. We had a couple of those ambitious objectives … that we were able to take advantage of while Starship was in outer space flying over our planet for the very first time, so that was just really incredible.”

Eventually, plans are for both halves to make vertical safe landings as part of the spacecraft’s reusable design.

The fully-stacked rocket takes off from a 469-foot-tall launch integration tower, which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk refers to as “Mechazilla.” It’s designed to one day capture the Super Heavy booster on its return with the aid of two pivoting metal arms called the “chopsticks,” but that won’t occur until a future test launch.

Neither the April or November launches ended according to plan, but instead had explosive ends. The first attempt saw the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage fail to separate prompting SpaceX to send a self destruct command while it was over the Gulf. It also demolished the launch pad, although SpaceX was able to improve that so it survived fairly intact after launch No. 2.

The second attempt saw a successful separation with the first use of the hot-staging technique, but the Super Heavy still blew up on its way down to the water and the Starship upper stage, while it made it into space, did not finish its ascent burn and had an automatic self destruct sequence enacted.

“Starship’s second flight test achieved a number of major milestones and provided invaluable data to continue rapidly developing Starship,” read a launch preview on SpaceX’s website. “Each of these flight tests continue to be just that: a test. They aren’t occurring in a lab or on a test stand, but are putting flight hardware in a flight environment to maximize learning.”

That flight with the upper stage technically making it to space despite the explosion made Starship the most powerful rocket to ever make it to space. It bested NASA’s Space Launch System rocket’s 8.8 million pounds of thrust produced when it flew the Orion capsule to space on the Artemis I mission back in 2022.

For the third flight, original plans were for SpaceX to also try to relight one of the upper stage’s six Raptor engines while in space and attempt a controlled reentry, but teams opted out of that as it approached reentry.

Even if it had performed the burn, there was never a plan to attempt any sort of landing on a droneship like its Falcon 9 first-stage boosters.

The change in flight path to the Indian Ocean from the first two attempts’ plans for a Pacific Ocean landing near Hawaii allowed for more public safety while attempting the new rocket features.

“This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink,” reads the post on SpaceX’s website. “Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond.”

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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