SpaceX said the rocket experienced a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” during its ascent burn—the same result as its previous test flight.

SpaceX’s Starship has exploded shortly after takeoff in the second launch failure this year for Elon Musk’s interplanetary exploration programme. But Musk’s rocket company was able to successfully return its mammoth first-stage booster to the launchpad following Thursday’s test-flight,

SpaceX’s ambitious Starship rocket met a fiery end during its eighth test flight on March 6, 2025. The day began with high hopes as SpaceX prepared to launch its mammoth 123-meter (403-foot) Starship rocket.