Elon Musk's SpaceX Rocket Explodes In Indian Ocean After Splashdown

SpaceX's latest Starship test flight ended with the giant spacecraft splashing down in the Indian Ocean, capping a mostly successful mission that tried several new upgrades, even though one engine problem stopped the vehicle from reaching its planned orbit.

The flight drew global attention because NASA is relying on a future Starship variant for the Artemis lunar programme, and the agency watched closely as the third-generation spacecraft attempted key manoeuvres needed for later Moon missions.

Starship test flight results and key milestones

The spacecraft lifted off shortly after 5:30 pm local time (2230 GMT), then carried out a flip manoeuvre in space, turned upright and reignited its engines for controlled flight, despite one engine failing, before completing a fiery but controlled descent into the Indian Ocean.

During the mission, Starship deployed 22 mock satellites, two of which were equipped to photograph the spacecraft's heat shield, giving engineers new data to study how its protective tiles behaved during the intense heating of atmospheric re-entry.

Starship launch trajectory and booster performance

The spacecraft did not achieve its targeted orbit because an engine malfunctioned during the first burn phase, leading SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot to comment that “I wouldn't call it nominal orbital insertion,” although Huot added that the final path remained “within bounds” of a previously analysed trajectory.

After staging, the Super Heavy booster separated from the upper stage but failed to complete its planned boost-back burn and fell uncontrolled into the Gulf of Mexico; SpaceX had never intended to recover the booster, though engineers had hoped for a tighter, more accurate return path.

Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on the twelfth flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/XXBAtryPpL

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 22, 2026

Starship upgrades, launch history and technical issues

This flight was Starship's 12th overall and the first in seven months, using an upgraded version standing more than 407 feet (124 metres) tall when fully assembled, a configuration that exceeded earlier models in size and included redesigned systems tested throughout Friday's mission.

The launch took place a day later than first planned, after a previous attempt was halted when a technical fault stopped liftoff; Elon Musk later wrote on X that “the hydraulic pin holding the tower arm in place did not retract,” and said the team fixed the issue overnight.

Starship reactions from Musk, experts and NASA

Elon Musk praised the outcome on X, describing the flight as “epic” and telling the team, “You scored a goal for humanity,” while SpaceX employees were seen cheering during the livestream as confirmation arrived that the upper stage had completed its controlled splashdown.

Clayton Swope, an aerospace specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP that “the upgraded version of Starship did most of what SpaceX hoped it would do during the launch,” but also warned that “There is a long way to go and many more test flights before Starship is ready for the next Artemis mission,” pointing to continuing work before lunar use.

Before liftoff, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joined SpaceX's pre-launch programme and said: “We're looking forward to seeing this fly, because hopefully at some point in the not-too-distant future we're going to join up in Earth orbit,” and later congratulated the company on X for “a hell of a V3 Starship launch,” underscoring the interest in Starship's progress for future crewed missions.