SpaceX's Starship Test Flight Ends in Loss of Contact and Explosion

The second stage of SpaceX's Starship experienced a rapid unplanned disassembly during its eighth test flight, while the first stage was successfully recovered.

SpaceX lost contact with the second stage of its Starship rocket approximately 9 minutes after launch, resulting in an explosion during ascent.
The first stage booster, Super Heavy, was successfully recovered using a controlled descent and mechanical arms on the launch tower.
This marks the second consecutive test flight where the second stage of Starship has been lost, following a similar failure in January 2025.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered SpaceX to conduct an investigation into the incident and briefly restricted air traffic to avoid potential debris hazards.
Environmental concerns and criticisms of SpaceX's rapid development approach persist, with some groups raising issues about the impact of the company's operations near protected areas in Texas.