SpaceX lost contact with its Starship rocket during a test flight on Thursday, minutes after liftoff, leaving the spacecraft’s fate uncertain. The 403-foot (123-meter) rocket blasted off from Texas shortly before sunset, marking another attempt after a previous test ended in an explosion nearly two months ago.
While SpaceX properly recovered the first-stage boost using large electrical arms at the start site, the upper-stage spacecraft encountered issues as it streaked east. Several of its vehicles shut down early, preventing a controlled origin over the Indian Ocean as planned.
The goal, expected to last an afternoon, was unable to build its four mock satellites. The spacecraft had climbed nearly 90 miles ( 150 kilometers ) in altitude before losing stability. It remains vague where it finally came along.
” Alas, this happened last time to, so we have some training at this now”, SpaceX trip critic Dan Huot said from the start site.
SpaceX has ambitious plans for Starship. Nasa has selected it for potential solar flights, while business founder Elon Musk envisions the rocket later transporting people to Mars.
Like the previous check, this vision carried four simulated spacecraft resembling SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites. They were meant to be quickly released into space before falling back to Earth.
To improve reuse, SpaceX had redesigned Starship’s wings, onboard computers, and energy program, aiming for a future where the aircraft could return to the release site—similar to how the capsule was recovered.
During the last exam, SpaceX properly caught the boost at the plate, but the spaceship exploded minutes afterwards over the Atlantic. No injury or major deterioration were reported.
An ongoing investigation into the earlier failing determined that a gas leak triggered a series of flames, leading to motor closures. As designed, the onboard self-destruct structure was activated.
After the event, SpaceX implemented many improvements, and the Federal Aviation Administration late cleared Starship for another release.
Ship flights originate from Texas ‘ southernmost edge near the Mexican border. However, SpaceX is building a following Starship launch hospital at Cape Canaveral, Florida, alongside its existing Bird jet businesses, which handle crewed and dish expeditions.
