SpaceX Experiences Another Starship Setback in Recent Test Flight
The booster made a successful return for the third time.
The eighth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship took off from Starbase, Texas, on March 6, achieving partial success. While the spacecraft did not reach its intended orbit and suffered damage, the booster returned precisely to the launch tower.
Elon Musk’s ambitious vision for reusable space travel consists of two components: a super-heavy booster and a six-engine Starship spacecraft, which, during this test, was on a mission to orbit, carrying prototype next-generation Starlink satellites.
The initial ascent over the Gulf of Mexico was deemed successful; all 33 Raptor engines ignited, and the trajectory remained steady as it passed through the vehicle’s maximum dynamic pressure phase.
SpaceX representatives at the live event confirmed a successful separation between the Starship and the booster, which returned home to Starbase without issues.
This eighth test flight marked the third successful capture of the super-heavy booster section by the “Mechazilla” arms back at the launch tower.
However, with under 30 seconds left in its burn and less than 60 km from its target altitude, Starship’s engines began to shut down sequentially, leading to an uncontrollable roll. Mission control soon lost contact with the spacecraft.
Related Stories
Shortly thereafter, videos flooded Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, showing spectators witnessing the Starship break apart during reentry. Debris resembling a comet was reported from the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida to the Eastern Caribbean.
“We will analyze the data gathered from today’s flight test to identify the root cause. Success is often derived from our lessons learned, and today’s test will provide further insights for enhancing Starship’s reliability.”
The launch was initially set for March 3 but was delayed due to unspecified issues just 40 seconds before go-time.
“There are too many uncertainties relating to this flight,” stated SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on X. “It’s prudent to destack, inspect both stages, and attempt again in a day or two.”
This test flight follows SpaceX’s announcement of bringing Starship launch capabilities to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Plans include constructing a 380-foot-tall, 46.5-million-cubic-foot Gigabay facility beside HangarX and completing a Starship launch pad at historic Launch Complex 39A.
“The expansion of Starship production and launch operations in Florida will allow SpaceX to significantly bolster the build and flight rates for Starship, marking it as the first fully reusable launch vehicle in history,” SpaceX noted in a press release on March 3. “Access to space remains a critical and growing necessity for U.S. national security, scientific leadership, national exploration goals, and economic growth.”
