SpaceX Starship Loses Control and Booster Explodes After Launch
5
Technology
May 28, 2025 06:00
starbase, texas, usa - SpaceX's Starship spacecraft, developed by Elon Musk, partially fails during an unmanned test flight as the booster explodes post-launch in Texas.
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Partial Failure
Elon Musk's SpaceX faced a setback as the Starship spacecraft lost control and the booster exploded after launch from Texas. The 123-meter-long vehicle experienced issues shortly after takeoff.
Control Loss and Explosion
Thirty minutes after liftoff, SpaceX lost control of the rocket, causing the Super Heavy booster to detach and explode while trying to reposition itself, according to SpaceX commentators.
Test Objectives and Outcome
The test aimed to open the satellite doors of the upper stage, but failed. The upper stage leaked fuel, spun in space, re-entered Earth's atmosphere, and exploded above the Indian Ocean, missing the intended landing zones in the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX stated that the lessons learned from this test would enhance spaceship reliability for future missions.
Future Missions and Setbacks
SpaceX's goal is to send astronauts to the moon and Mars using the Starship spacecraft, despite facing earlier failed attempts resulting in explosions and debris scattered across the Caribbean islands.
The recent test flight at SpaceX's Starbase facility followed two unsuccessful attempts earlier this year.