Starship launch: Third flight reaches space but is lost on re-entry

The world’s most powerful rocket, Starship, launched from Texas and reached an altitude of more than 230 kilometres, travelling further and faster than it has done before. But it seems to have been destroyed on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere

By Matthew Sparkes

14 March 2024

SpaceX’s Starship taking off on 14 March

SpaceX

SpaceX’s third and most ambitious Starship test flight appeared to be at least a partial success today as it reached space, carried out fuel transfer tests and travelled further and faster than ever before. But the craft failed to make its scheduled landing and appears to have either self-destructed or burned up in Earth’s atmosphere.

Read more

SpaceX aims to let astronauts avoid a radio blackout during re-entry

After lift-off from SpaceX’s site at Boca Chica, Texas, the first and second stages separated cleanly and the first stage – the booster that lifts it on the first part of its journey – began descending for a landing at sea. SpaceX ultimately intends to recover and re-use both stages, but in these early test flights they are both destined for a safer and easier ocean ditching.

Advertisement

While the first stage steered itself on the descent it seemingly struggled to slow its fall as intended and appeared to hit the sea at speed.

The second stage went on to reach an altitude of around 230 kilometres and successfully opened and closed its payload door as a test. It also shuffled fuel from one tank to another as an experimental first step towards the eventual refuelling of one Starship by another, which will be vital for long-range missions.