China: SpaceX Starship rocket test has faced a setback as the upper stage was lost minutes after launch from Boca Chica, Texas. The mission was the company’s seventh test of the colossal spacecraft, which aims to revolutionise space exploration.
Officials reported that the Starship upper stage experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” during its ascent. Despite the mishap, the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to its launchpad as planned, drawing cheers from ground control teams.
SpaceX stated that, “Success comes from what we learn,” highlighting the importance of data assembled from the test. Elon Musk also confirmed fears of an oxygen/fuel leak near the ship engine firewall but assured that the next launch is still scheduled for next month.
Unverified social media videos showed the rocket breaking up in flames, with dynamic trails seen across the sky near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Musk, known for his candid comments, added humour by sharing a video with the caption, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”
Watch Starship’s seventh flight test → https://t.co/QNCSPTewLA https://t.co/wWJtyFMrfI
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 14, 2025
The failed Starship test came hours after rival Blue Origin, backed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, launched its New Glenn rocket system into orbit for the first time. The achievement marked a momentous milestone for Bezos’ company, which has been working for years to reach this point.
Meanwhile, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying two private lunar landers and a micro rover from the Kennedy Space Centre just a day earlier, showcasing its ongoing progress in lunar exploration. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has realised the anomaly during the Starship mission, stating that aircraft in the area were briefly diverted due to falling debris.
Both Musk and Bezos continue their competitive race to dominate the commercial space vehicle market, with both companies pushing the boundaries of space exploration and development.
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