SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight ended in destruction Thursday after achieving a rare booster capture, marking another dramatic chapter in the development of the world’s largest rocket.
The spacecraft, carrying 10 dummy satellites, broke apart approximately eight and a half minutes into flight after its engines shut down one by one during ascent. The last data received showed the vehicle at an altitude of 90 miles, travelling at 13,245 mph.
SpaceX achieved a significant milestone just minutes before the loss when its launch tower successfully caught the returning booster using mechanical arms nicknamed “chopsticks” — only the second time this feat has been accomplished.
“It was great to see a booster come down, but we are obviously bummed out about the ship,” said SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot. “It’s a flight test. It’s an experimental vehicle.”
Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder, attributed the failure to a possible fuel leak that may have created pressure buildup above the engine firewall. He announced plans via X to add fire suppression systems and increase venting in the affected area.
The 400-foot rocket launched from Boca Chica Beach near the Mexican border in late afternoon. This upgraded version of Starship was supposed to complete a near-global loop, similar to previous tests, before planned reentry over the Indian Ocean.
The incident disrupted air traffic, affecting Caribbean Airlines flight schedules into Friday morning.
This was the seventh test flight for Starship, which NASA plans to use for lunar landings later this decade. Musk ultimately aims to use the vehicle for Mars missions