SpaceX Catches Starship Booster, Ship Lost in Space

SpaceX Achieves Booster Catch, Faces Ship Loss During Seventh Starship Test

For the second time, SpaceX successfully captured the Super Heavy booster of the Starship rocket following its launch on Thursday, propelling the upper stage towards space during the system’s seventh test flight. Shortly after this achievement, SpaceX reported a loss of communication with the ship approximately eight and a half minutes into the flight, ultimately resulting in its demise.

Upper Stage Anomaly

The spacecraft had successfully detached from the booster and initiated its own engine ignition to reach orbit. However, indications emerged of engine failures during this ascent phase. Consequently, telemetry data transmission from the ship ceased, and SpaceX subsequently confirmed an “anomaly” affecting the upper stage during the final stages of its burn in space.

FAA Response to Debris

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified to TechCrunch that air traffic was slowed or redirected in the vicinity where debris was observed.

Musk’s Explanation and Future Plans

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated on X that the company suspects an “oxygen/fuel leak” within Starship caused excessive pressure buildup inside the vehicle. He indicated that future efforts will include thorough leak inspections, the addition of a fire suppression system, and an increased venting capacity to mitigate pressure concerns.

Re-entry Debris and Musk’s Commentary

Following the ship’s failure, numerous users on social media platforms shared images and videos depicting what appeared to be fragments of the spacecraft disintegrating during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere over Turks and Caicos. Musk shared one of these videos on X, remarking, “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”

Booster Catch History

SpaceX first demonstrated the booster “catch” – utilizing articulated arms on the launch tower to secure the rocket stage during a controlled descent – in October 2024. A subsequent attempt in November was aborted due to a communication issue.

Beyond the Catch: Payload Deployment Goals

This launch represented more than just another successful catch. SpaceX had loaded Starship with 10 dummy Starlink satellites, intending to conduct the first payload deployment test with the spacecraft. The company described the test as the beginning of a “transformational” year for Starship on its official website.

Significant Ship Upgrades

The Starship used in Thursday’s flight incorporated several upgrades compared to previous tests. SpaceX highlighted a “complete redesign” of the ship’s avionics systems, including a more powerful flight computer and integrated antennas supporting Starlink, GNSS, and backup RF communication.

Enhanced Sensors and Power Systems

The ship featured redesigned inertial navigation and star tracking sensors, alongside integrated “smart batteries and power units” designed to distribute data and 2.7MW of power throughout the craft. Over 30 onboard cameras were also included to allow engineers to monitor the performance of both new and existing hardware.

Testing for Full Stack Catch and Re-entry Protection

SpaceX aims to achieve the capture of both Starship and the booster, and this flight was intended to evaluate technologies enabling that capability. Various heat tiles were tested on the ship to determine optimal re-entry protection. Additionally, “non-structural versions” of the tower-catching mechanisms were included to assess their durability during re-entry.

Booster Enhancements

On the booster side, the launch tower was equipped with radar sensors to improve the accuracy of rocket stage localization during the catch procedure. Furthermore, this booster utilized a rocket engine recovered from a prior Starship flight, marking its first re-use.