Starship Test Ends in Explosion

The seventh Starship test commenced with promise as the super rocket, powered by 33 Raptor engines, lifted off from the Boca Chica launchpad. Initial telemetry confirmed flawless engine performance, allowing the spacecraft to achieve supersonic speeds and successfully navigate "Max Q," the point of maximum aerodynamic stress during ascent.

A pivotal stage in the mission was the "hot staging" maneuver, where Starship’s upper stage ignites its engines before the booster fully separates. This produced a spectacular light and flame display, following which the upper stage proceeded toward orbit. Meanwhile, the booster initiated its return to Earth, first performing a “boost back burn” to realign itself with the launch site, and then executing a “landing burn,” transitioning from 13 to 3 engines for a precise and controlled descent.

The highlight of the test was the booster’s return to the Mechazilla tower, equipped with two massive “chopstick-like” arms designed to catch the descending vehicle mid-air. For the second consecutive time, the tower successfully captured the booster, securing it at the exact launch point just 7.5 minutes after liftoff—a remarkable demonstration of engineering precision.

However, the upper stage encountered significant issues. Observers noted flames near the spacecraft's wing early in the flight. Telemetry data later ceased abruptly, indicating a "Rapid Unplanned Disassembly" (RUD)—a technical term for a catastrophic failure. Videos capturing the incident show the dramatic end of the mission.