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SpaceX’s Reused Booster Debuts as Starship’s Ninth Test Flight Breaks Apart

The FAA has cleared a follow-up launch following a rapid unscheduled disassembly that exposed flaws in the rocket’s fuel system alongside guidance failures.

Starship’s ninth flight test launch.
SpaceX Starship rocket Super Heavy booster test flight 9
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Overview

  • SpaceX launched Starship’s ninth test on May 27 from Starbase, Texas, marking the first flight with a recycled Super Heavy booster that ultimately crashed during descent.
  • The upper stage reached its planned suborbital trajectory and completed engine cutoff before losing attitude control and breaking apart from fuel leaks.
  • A failure of the payload bay doors prevented deployment of eight simulated Starlink satellites onboard.
  • SpaceX characterized the flight as a “big improvement” over earlier attempts and said teams will analyze data to address the rocket’s fuel and control issues.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration expanded debris hazard zones and cleared SpaceX for a follow-up launch as the company aims to shorten its test cadence.