On January 16, 2025, SpaceX's Starship megarocket took to the skies for its seventh test flight. The mission started smoothly, with the Super Heavy booster and Ship upper-stage spacecraft separating as planned. However, things took a turn when the Ship spacecraft encountered issues over the Atlantic Ocean, breaking apart roughly 8. 5 minutes after liftoff. Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, suggested that the cause was a significant leak of propellant. This leak led to a buildup of pressure that the vent system couldn't handle, resulting in a fire and the spacecraft's destruction. The event was visible from the Turks and Caicos Islands and other nearby locations.

SpaceX is already investigating the incident and plans to implement changes, such as adding fire suppression and increasing vent area. Despite the setback, SpaceX aims to launch Starship frequently in 2025, with plans for up to 25 launches from their Starbase in South Texas. The company is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure safety measures are in place. The FAA temporarily adjusted air traffic in the area where debris from the spacecraft fell but resumed normal operations quickly.

SpaceX Starship's Upper Stage Lost Due to Propellant Leak

Actions