Starship Launch Stumbles (Image: SpaceX) SpaceX’s Starship rocket launched from Texas on Tuesday evening but failed to complete its planned mission. The spacecraft spun out of control and broke apart before landing. The 403-foot rocket lifted off from Starbase, located at the southern tip of Texas. It was the ninth demo flight and the first to use a recycled booster. The launch was part of SpaceX’s ongoing effort to prepare Starship for deep space travel. Story continues below Advertisement Remove Ad Contact with the spacecraft ended before it could re-enter safely. The webcast was also cut shortly after. The previous two Starship tests ended in the Caribbean after similar failures. The FAA had recently cleared the test with added safety rules. These included wider hazard zones and off-peak launch times to limit air traffic disruption. SpaceX made technical changes to this rocket, including thermal tile upgrades and catch fittings. Although this Starship was meant to sink in the Indian Ocean, it carried test features for future missions. NASA needs SpaceX to advance quickly. A crewed flyby around the Moon is planned next year. The first landing using Starship could take place by 2027. For that mission, Starship must carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back. MC Science Desk Read the latest and trending science news—stay updated on NASA, ISRO, space missions, planets, asteroids, black holes, AI, quantum physics, galaxy discoveries, and more exciting breakthroughs. first published: May 28, 2025 10:56 am