SpaceX is going back to the drawing board.
During a test flight in Texas on April 20, the company’s Starship rocket exploded minutes after launch. “As if the flight test wasn’t exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly prior to stage separation,” SpaceX said in a message posted. Twitter moments after the explosion. “The team will continue to review the data and work towards our next flight test.”
“With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve the reliability of Starship as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary,” the company’s note continued. “Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on the exciting first integrated flight test of Starship!”
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Was on site for the launch of Starship – with no one aboard – and is also keeping a positive outlook despite the explosion. “Congratulations to the @SpaceX team on the exciting test launch of Starship!” He Tweeted, “Lots learned for the next test launch in a few months.”