SpaceX loses spacecraft during test flight after rocket booster catc
SpaceX conducted the seventh flight test of its Starship launch vehicle on Thursday, showcasing what the company described as its “most capable” and fully reusable spacecraft to date. While the mission achieved a major milestone with the successful recovery of the first-stage booster, it also faced setbacks as communication with the Starship was lost, and the spacecraft broke apart during its ascent.
The 400-foot rocket, powered by 33 Raptor engines, launched at 4:37 p.m. CT from SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas. Shortly after liftoff, ground control announced the loss of telemetry and communications with the Starship. SpaceX later confirmed that several engines failed, and the spacecraft was lost. No astronauts were aboard the test flight.
Despite the loss of the Starship, the mission marked a significant achievement as the super heavy first-stage booster completed a controlled descent and was caught by the launch tower’s robotic arms—only the second time this feat has been accomplished. Catching the booster is considered one of the most challenging aspects of the mission and a step toward full reusability.
Following the mishap, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly delayed flights near Florida due to concerns about debris. Footage later showed debris falling over the Turks and Caicos Islands. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk addressed the issue on social media, suggesting that an oxygen or fuel leak above the engine firewall likely caused the spacecraft’s failure. He announced plans to improve fire suppression systems and increase venting capacity in future designs but maintained optimism about staying on track for the next launch, potentially within a month.
Despite the setback, SpaceX remains focused on Starship’s future capabilities. Designed to be fully reusable, Starship aims to carry larger payloads than existing rockets and support long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. The system is envisioned to eventually transport up to 100 people on interplanetary flights. Thursday’s flight introduced a redesigned upper stage with enhancements like an improved heat shield, increased propellant capacity, and updated avionics to enable more complex missions.
The test mission planned to deploy 10 Starlink satellite simulators and assess the spacecraft’s ability to deliver payloads in space. Additionally, the mission aimed to test new heat-resistant materials by removing heat tiles in specific areas. Although the mission was cut short, the data collected will guide further refinements to Starship’s design and performance, bringing SpaceX closer to its long-term goals of sustainable space exploration.
Peoplesmind
