SpaceX Starship Test Flight Fails Again, Rocket Disintegrates Mid-Air

Texas (The Uttam Hindu) SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket has once again failed during its latest test flight. This spacecraft is considered the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. It plays a crucial role in Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to establish a colony on Mars.

The 9th test flight was conducted on May 28 at 5 AM IST from Boca Chica, Texas. However, the test was unsuccessful.

About 30 minutes after launch, the Starship lost control and disintegrated upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. This marks the third time the Starship has exploded mid-air. However, SpaceX did achieve some success during the test, as the rocket’s booster executed a hard landing in the Gulf of Mexico. During the landing burn, one engine was intentionally shut down to test the capabilities of the backup engines.

The rocket stands 400 feet tall and is fully reusable. While the launch itself was successful, the rocket lost control shortly afterward and was destroyed. The entire test lasted for 1 hour and 6 minutes. According to a statement from SpaceX, the spacecraft rapidly broke apart and disintegrated before it could fall into the Indian Ocean. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company said this test would help improve the reliability of the Starship system.

After the test, Elon Musk stated that the Starship reached its scheduled engine cutoff point, showing significant progress compared to earlier flights. He added that due to a leak, pressure in the main tank decreased during the coast and re-entry phase. Musk mentioned that the next three launches would happen at a faster pace, with a new launch planned every 3 to 4 weeks.