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
Elon Musk says he ‘doesn’t expect launch to happen’ in Twitter space
Elon Musk says there’s a “good chance” today’s launch will get postponed. And if it doesn’t, then there’s a good chance it will go wrong when it happens.
“I guess I would just like to set expectations... low,” he said. “If we get far enough away from the launchpad before something goes wrong, I would consider that to be a success.”
If SpaceX sees “anything that gives us concern” it will postpone the launch, he said. (Musk has already predicted a launch on Thursday – which would be 4/20, a favourite date of his – so he seems to be factoring in a delay.)
“If we do launch, we’ll consider anything that does not result in the destruction of the [...] launch pad [...] a win.”
That’s what he said in a Twitter space, on Sunday evening, held to mark the upcoming launch.
You can listen to the full thing on YouTube below, thanks to Remo Uherek, who recorded it.
SpaceX shares new images of ‘fully stacked’ Starship waiting to go
SpaceX has shared new images of Starship waiting on its launchpad.
Even before it takes off, these pictures show the biggest rocket ever made. But that will obviously be a lot more impressive once it actually gets going.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments