TLDR:
- SpaceX’s Starship suffered its third consecutive test flight failure on May 27, 2025.
- The rocket exploded after liftoff due to fuel leaks and loss of control during reentry.
- Elon Musk vows to accelerate launch frequency to one flight every three to four weeks.
- No injuries or public damage reported; FAA continues collaboration with SpaceX.
On Tuesday, SpaceX experienced its third straight test flight failure this year with the Starship system, a massive rocket designed to revolutionize space travel and enable missions to the Moon and Mars.
Third Explosion
The uncrewed launch took place at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas and ended in a dramatic explosion shortly after liftoff.
The 400-foot Starship rocket and its Super Heavy booster began their ninth test flight successfully but quickly ran into problems. A livestream showed the booster exploding during ascent, while the Starship itself developed a major fuel leak that caused it to spin uncontrollably before breaking apart during reentry. Despite the dramatic conclusion, there were no injuries or damage to public property, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Starship’s ninth flight test marked a major milestone for reuse with the first flight-proven Super Heavy booster launching from Starbase, and once more returned Starship to space → https://t.co/Gufroc2kUz pic.twitter.com/RNJkj5OobP
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 28, 2025
Musk Highlights Progress Despite Setbacks
Despite the failure, Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, emphasized improvements compared to previous flights.
“Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent,” Musk tweeted.
He attributed the loss of the vehicle to leaks that caused a drop in main tank pressure during the coasting and reentry phase. Musk further pledged that SpaceX would increase its Starship launch cadence dramatically, aiming for a launch roughly every three to four weeks in the coming months.
This announcement follows recent FAA approval allowing SpaceX to ramp up its launch frequency beyond the previous limit of five flights per year from its Texas spaceport.
Starship ’s Ambitious Future
Starship is central to Musk’s vision of making humanity a multiplanetary species. The spacecraft is intended not only for Earth orbit missions but also for lunar landings and ultimately Mars colonization. Each test flight, while risky, is a critical step toward developing a reliable, reusable rocket system that can carry both crew and cargo on long-duration space missions.
Tuesday’s test flight was notable for using a recycled booster for the first time, pushing the limits of SpaceX’s reusability goals. However, the booster was lost after contact was lost, and it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico in pieces.
Despite the setback, SpaceX remains committed to learning from each test and quickly iterating.
“With a test like this, success comes from what we learn,” the company stated on X.
Regulatory and Funding Context
The FAA is actively investigating the anomaly and working closely with SpaceX to ensure safety and compliance. The agency confirmed there were no injuries or property damage but continues to monitor the expanding launch hazard zones. The increased launch frequency has also sparked adjustments in local air traffic schedules to minimize disruptions.
SpaceX’s relationship with the federal government is notable, having received over $19 billion in contracts since 2008. The company’s ambitions and government backing position it as a key player in future American space policy and commercial spaceflight endeavors.
