SpaceX’s mega rocket completes its 4th test flight
Boca Chica, June 6: SpaceX’s mega Starship rocket completed its first full test flight Thursday, returning to Earth without exploding after blasting off from Texas. The previous three test flights ended in explosions of the rocket and the spacecraft. This time, both managed to splash down in a controlled fashion. The world’s largest and most powerful rocket – almost 400 feet (121 metres) tall – was empty as it soared above the Gulf of Mexico and headed east on a flight to the Indian Ocean. Minutes after Thursday morning’s liftoff, the first-stage booster separated from the spacecraft and splashed into the gulf precisely as planned, after firing its engines. An hour later, live views showed parts of the spacecraft breaking away during the intense heat of reentry, but it remained intact enough to transmit data all the way to its targeted splashdown site in the Indian Ocean. (AP)
3 killed, 12 hurt as bus catches fire in Pakistan
Karachi, June 6: At least three persons were killed and 12 others injured early Thursday morning when a bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, officials said. Lasbela Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) captain (rtd) Naveed Alam said the bus was heading from Quetta to Karachi when the accident occurred in Lasbela’s Uthal tehsil, Dawn newspaper reported. A motorcyclist carrying petrol reportedly collided with the bus, causing the fire. Police and rescue officials rushed to the site of the incident upon receiving the alert and immediately began rescue efforts, Alam said. (PTI)