Starship Explodes, Super Heavy Booster Recovered

SpaceX’s seventh Starship test flight ended dramatically when the upper stage of the rocket exploded during ascent. The incident, described as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” occurred over the Atlantic Ocean, scattering debris across the sky.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, shared a video of the explosion on Twitter, quipping, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!” SpaceX’s Dan Huot explained during the company’s webcast that telemetry showed engines failing towards the end of the ascent burn, leading to a loss of contact with the Starship’s upper stage.

Despite the explosion, the test wasn’t without achievements. SpaceX successfully recovered the Super Heavy booster, catching it with the mechanical arms of the Starbase launch tower, known as “Mechazilla.” This marks a critical advancement in the company’s quest for reusable rocket systems.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a pilot advisory after the explosion, warning of possible falling debris. SpaceX had outlined ambitious goals for the test, which included evaluating upgraded Starship systems and performing the first payload deployment using ten Starlink simulators.

While the upper stage was destroyed, the Raptor engines performed as planned during the ascent, showcasing the vehicle’s potential. SpaceX is now reviewing data from the test to determine the cause of the failure.

Each test brings valuable insights, and with the successful booster recovery, SpaceX continues to make strides toward its mission of making interplanetary travel a reality.