SpaceX Starship Explodes Mid-Flight During Third Test, Firm Cites 'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly'

Elon Musk's SpaceX launched its colossal Starship rocket on Tuesday for a third test flight, following the failure of two previous attempts. However, within minutes of liftoff, the flight met a similar fate.

According to the company, the spacecraft underwent a "rapid unscheduled disassembly", or in simpler terms, it broke apart mid-air.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

The launch took place from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas on Tuesday evening. It marked the ninth demonstration flight overall, and crowds across the state gathered to witness the momentous occasion.

Unfortunately, just minutes into the flight, the 403-foot-long rocket veered out of control, and part of it exploded.

SpaceX had intended to release a batch of mock satellites after take-off, but the plan was aborted when the payload door failed to fully open.

Subsequently, the spacecraft began spinning as it skimmed the edge of space and headed toward an uncontrolled descent into the Indian Ocean.

Confirming the incident, SpaceX stated: "Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test."

The launch system for this test comprised the Starship upper stage and its Super Heavy Booster.

Reflecting on the flight, SpaceX noted: "First reflight of a Super Heavy booster! Today's test objectives were designed to intentionally push Super Heavy to the limits, giving us real-world data about its performance that will directly feed in to making the next generation booster even more capable."

They added: "As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today's test will help us improve Starship's reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary."

SpaceX commentator Dan Huot said that the rocket lost attitude control during the flight due to "leaks" on the ship.

According to Bloomberg, Huot explained, "We have been dealing with some leaks on the ship... This is also what led to that loss of attitude control."