Overview

• 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.