Starship launch news – live: SpaceX launches world’s biggest rocket, which explodes shortly after
A video shows the explosion of Elon Musk’s Starship rocket as it blows up right after take off from its launch site
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SpaceX has launched the world’s biggest rocket – which exploded seconds later.
The spacecraft successfully left its launchpad, but the two parts of the rocket failed to separate and they exploded in a dramatic cloud minutes later.
SpaceX nonetheless hailed the test as a success, having said that any flight that did not blow up the rocket’s launchpad would be considered a “win”.
Mr Musk said that the information gained from the test would be used to guide work on future versions of the spacecraft, the next text of which he said will happen in a “few months”.
You can follow all the latest news and updates right here after SpaceX’s launch of the most powerful and largest rocket the world has ever seen.
SpaceX launch date: Why Starship’s latest attempt has such significance for Elon Musk
SpaceX takes second shot at launching biggest rocket- SpaceX Starship launch date and time: When Elon Musk’s rocket firm will launch the biggest spacecraft ever
Moment SpaceX halts Starship rocket launch minutes before anticipated lift-off
SpaceX says launch was a success despite the explosion
The launch was a great success, despite the explosion (or rapid unscheduled disassembly, as SpaceX calls them). It had only hoped that it would clear the launchpad, which it did.
SpaceX doesn’t have any information about the cause of the explosion and so will end its live coverage.
Rocket explodes in the sky
Starship just exploded dramatically in the sky.
The explosion happened just after the two pieces were supposed to separate.
Rocket clears tower
One minute into the test and everything looks like it is working. The rocket has cleared its launchpad and is flying up into space.
Issues appear to be fixed, SpaceX says
Engineers appear to have fixed those problems and we’re moving back towards starting the clock again, SpaceX said. If and when that happens, the clock will start again at 40 seconds.
‘Couple of issues’ with rocket
There are a couple of problems being looked into. The first was the pressurisation, which has since been fixed; the second is some final “purging” and we’re just waiting to hear what might be happening with that.
Hold could also 15 minutes
The team has the option to hold off launch for about 15 minutes at this point. If there is a problem that is likely to take longer than that, the launch may have to be postponed again as it was on Monday.
As of now, there is no update from SpaceX on what has called the hold and whether it might be fixable.
Launch is being HELD
The clock reached 40 seconds from launch, which was the last opportunity that flight directors had to hold, and that’s exactly what they did.
We’re now waiting to see why that has happened and when and whether the team will press ahead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments