SpaceX's Starship Flight 9, launched on May 27, 2025, from Starbase, Texas, achieved a significant milestone by reaching space. However, the mission faced challenges during re-entry, marking another iterative step in the development of the world's most powerful rocket.
The launch, which occurred at 7:36 p.m. Eastern, experienced a brief delay due to ground equipment issues. The Super Heavy booster, used for the first time, exploded during its landing burn over the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this, the initial ascent and stage separation were successful.
Following engine shutdown, propellant venting and a slow roll were observed. A fuel tank leak led to a loss of attitude control, making a controlled re-entry impossible. Remaining propellant was vented, and telemetry was lost approximately 47 minutes post-liftoff. Elon Musk attributed the issues to leaks causing main tank pressure loss during coast and re-entry. The next three flights are planned with a faster cadence of approximately every 3 to 4 weeks. The Artemis 3 lunar landing, scheduled for 2027, remains a key objective, though Starship's development is critical to its success.