SpaceX's latest Starship test flight ended in failure Thursday after the spacecraft was destroyed following a successful booster catch on the launch pad. The company reported that the Starship experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly," with its six engines shutting down one by one during ascent, and communication was lost just 8.5 minutes into the flight, reports AP.
The upgraded Starship spacecraft, carrying 10 dummy satellites for practice, was expected to complete a near-world loop across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas. However, the spacecraft failed to reach its intended destination.
Despite the setback, SpaceX achieved a significant milestone minutes before the spacecraft's destruction. The launch tower's giant mechanical arms successfully caught the returning booster — a feat accomplished only once before. The booster hovered over the pad before being gripped by the "chopsticks" arms.
SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot expressed disappointment over the loss of the spacecraft but emphasized that it was a test flight for an experimental vehicle. "It was great to see a booster come down, but we are obviously bummed out about the ship," he said.
Preliminary analysis suggested a fuel leak built up pressure above the engine firewall, leading to the failure. Musk stated that SpaceX would address the issue with fire suppression systems, increased venting, and leak checks.
The test was the seventh for Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket. SpaceX aims to launch Starlink satellites with Starship before eventually sending crews to the moon and Mars.
Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched its supersized New Glenn rocket earlier the same day, reaching orbit successfully. However, the booster was destroyed after missing its targeted landing platform in the Atlantic.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
