SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket exploded shortly after launch for a second consecutive time on Thursday, a setback for Elon Musk’s company as it seeks to build a vessel capable of reaching Mars.
Eight minutes after the 400ft rocket system launched from the company’s Starbase in Texas, the upper-stage spacecraft’s engines malfunctioned and the vehicle spun out of control before exploding in the atmosphere above the Caribbean. The lower-stage super heavy booster returned to the launch pad after separation and was caught by mechanical arms.
The eighth Starship test flight had been scheduled for Monday but was cancelled 30 seconds before lift-off due to abnormalities. The malfunction follows a similar failure in January, which also resulted in a fiery explosion and an order from the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all launches pending an investigation.