SpaceX's colossal Starship rocket blew up shortly after its seventh test flight on Thursday. The 400ft rocket, the largest and most powerful in the world, launched from Boca Chica, Texas, at 4.40 pm local time (10.40 pm UK time).
While the rocket’s booster successfully returned and was captured by two giant mechanical arms—a feat achieved for only the second time—contact with Starship was lost about eight and a half minutes into its flight.
A SpaceX livestream host confirmed the loss, saying, "It looks like we lost contact." The engines appeared to fail shortly before communication was cut.
Despite the setback, the booster’s capture marked a significant milestone for the company.