On May 27, 2025, SpaceX conducted the ninth test flight of its Starship launch system from Starbase, Texas. While the Super Heavy booster successfully lifted off, the mission encountered significant issues during its flight.
Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the upper-stage Starship experienced a propellant leak, leading to a loss of control and causing the spacecraft to spin uncontrollably. This malfunction resulted in the disintegration of the vehicle upon re-entry over the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the Super Heavy booster, reused for the first time after a previous launch in January, exploded after detachment.
This event marks the third consecutive Starship failure in 2025, following similar outcomes in January and March. Despite these setbacks, SpaceX views each test as a learning opportunity to refine its fully reusable rocket technology, which is central to Elon Musk’s vision of enabling regular space missions to the Moon and Mars.
In a recent update, Elon Musk announced plans to send an uncrewed Starship spacecraft to Mars by the end of 2026. This ambitious goal hinges on overcoming significant technical challenges, particularly in-orbit refueling. If delayed, the next optimal launch window would be in 2028.
The first Mars flight is expected to carry Tesla-built humanoid robots, with human missions anticipated in subsequent launches.
Meanwhile, SpaceX continues its regular Falcon 9 launches. On May 30, 2025, the company successfully launched the GPS III-7 satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Additionally, on May 31, 2025, SpaceX launched 27 Starlink V2 Mini satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, further expanding its satellite internet constellation.
Despite recent challenges with the Starship program, SpaceX remains committed to its goal of developing a fully reusable spacecraft capable of interplanetary travel. The company continues to analyze data from each test flight to inform future improvements and ensure the success of upcoming missions.
