Starship explodes during test launch: second consecutive failure for SpaceX

During a test flight from a spaceport in Texas, a Starship rocket lost control and exploded. This is the second failed SpaceX mission in the last two months.

Here's What We Know

The rocket launched as planned, and its first stage, the Super Heavy, successfully separated and returned to Earth, where it was caught by the mechanical arms of the launch tower. However, the Starship then began to tip over as it headed into space about eight minutes into the flight, and flight control eventually lost contact with it.

According to a SpaceX spokesperson, all six Raptor engines were operating, but then some of them began to fail. This resulted in a loss of control and mission failure.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that it had temporarily restricted air traffic due to the fall of the rocket debris. Operators were warned of a possible fall of Starship parts near the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

A previous attempt to launch Starship in February also ended in an explosion at about the same stage of flight. SpaceX planned to test new technologies, including a satellite deployment system and updated engines.

SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the next ship would be ready in four to six weeks.

"There was a small setback today. Progress is measured in time," he wrote.

Source: Bloomberg