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SpaceX launch: System forced Starship to self-destruct after it went off course

PHOTO: SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket lifts off from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on a brief uncrewed test flight near Brownsville, Texas, April 20, 2023.
4:42
Joe Skipper/Reuters
SpaceX Starship rocket launches into space
By Mary Kekatos
Last Updated: April 20, 2023, 7:24 PM

SpaceX attempted a second launch of its Starship rocket Thursday morning after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to a frozen valve in the pressurization system.

The launch took place at the company's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, about 20 miles east of Brownsville. The rocket was forced to self-destruct minutes after liftoff when the boosters failed to separate.

Latest headlines:

  • SpaceX confirms it triggered 'flight termination system'
  • FAA investigating Starship explosion
  • Elon Musk says next launch will be in 'a few months'
  • Starship boosters fail to separate from shuttle, rocket blown up
  • Starship launches into space
  • Starship rocket is being loaded
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Apr 20, 2023 7:24 PM

SpaceX confirms it triggered 'flight termination system'

Space X confirmed Thursday afternoon it triggered Starship's flight termination system after the boosters failed to separate.

Starship was veering off its planned trajectory, the company said. SpaceX and FAA have procedures in place to keep a rocket from injuring people or damaging property.

“Starship gave us quite a show during today’s first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Starbase in Texas," SpaceX said in statement.

PHOTO: The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

The company said multiple engines were out and therefore the shuttle began to lose altitude and "tumble."

"The flight termination system was commanded on both the booster and the ship. As is standard procedure, the pad and surrounding area was cleared well in advance of the test," the statement read.

SpaceX has not yet announced if or when it will be holding a briefing on the incident.

-ABC News' Gina Sunseri


Apr 20, 2023 3:38 PM

FAA investigating Starship explosion

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the explosion of SpaceX's Starship that occurred a few minutes after liftoff.

The agency is responsible for protecting Americans during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

PHOTO: SpaceX's Starship explodes after launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023.
Eric Gay/AP
SpaceX's Starship explodes after launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023. The giant new rocket exploded minutes after blasting off on it first test flight and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
Eric Gay/AP

"An anomaly occurred during the ascent and prior to stage separation resulting in a loss of the vehicle," the FAA said in a statement. "No injuries or public property damage have been reported."

"The FAA will oversee the mishap investigation of the Starship/Super Heavy test mission. A return to flight of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. This is standard practice for all mishap investigations."

SpaceX said the rocket's boosters did not properly separate following the launch.

-ABC News' Gina Sunseri


Apr 20, 2023 2:29 PM

Elon Musk says next launch will be in 'a few months'

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk congratulated the team in a tweet and said the next launch would be later this year, but didn't give any specific dates.

"Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship!" Musk tweeted. "Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months."

Musk also shared a video of the Starship rocket right after liftoff.



Apr 20, 2023 2:05 PM

SpaceX congratulates team even after rocket self-destructs

SpaceX congratulated the team behind the Starship rocket launch, even after it was forced to self-destruct when the boosters failed to separate.

"With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary," SpaceX tweeted.

PHOTO: SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket self-destructs after its launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on a brief test flight near Brownsville, Texas, April 20, 2023 in a still image from video.
SpaceX via Reuters
SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket self-destructs after its launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on a brief test flight near Brownsville, Texas, April 20, 2023 in a still image from video.
SpaceX via Reuters

"Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting first integrated flight test of Starship!"

SpaceX said the team will be reviewing the data and working towards its next launch attempt.


Apr 20, 2023 12:40 PM

Starship rocket is being loaded

SpaceX is fueling its Starship rocket -- the world's larger spacecraft -- as it attempts a second launch.

The first launch attempt was scrubbed Monday due to a frozen valve in the pressurization system.

"The Starship team is go for prop load; team is keeping an eye on the weather," SpaceX said in a tweet.


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