SpaceX’s Starship Explodes Again During Test Flight
SpaceX’s Starship rocket exploded during a test flight on Thursday, marking the second consecutive failure of the spacecraft designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. The 403-foot rocket lifted off from Starbase in Texas, but just eight minutes into its flight, the upper-stage spacecraft lost control and disintegrated in the sky over the Caribbean. SpaceX confirmed the vehicle experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” and that teams were working with safety officials to analyze the failure.
Despite the explosion, the lower-stage Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launchpad. The test was meant to evaluate Starship’s ability to re-enter Earth’s orbit and deploy four dummy Starlink satellites before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. However, engine failures led to a loss of control, causing the spacecraft to break apart. This follows a similar incident in January, which also resulted in an explosion and grounded flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered SpaceX to conduct an investigation into the mishap. Flights at several Florida airports, including Miami and Orlando, were temporarily halted due to concerns over falling debris. People in the Caribbean reported seeing flaming wreckage falling from the sky, with some seeking shelter. A government statement from the Turks and Caicos Islands confirmed communication with SpaceX and U.S. authorities regarding safety concerns.
SpaceX remains optimistic despite the setback, emphasizing that “success comes from what we learn.” The company says it will review data from the flight to improve Starship’s reliability. Meanwhile, questions continue to arise about the feasibility of Musk’s ambitions for deep-space travel as competitors like Blue Origin make strides in the industry.
