In yet another setback for SpaceX, Elon Musk’s ambitious Starship rocket experienced a catastrophic failure shortly after liftoff during its latest test flight on Wednesday. The launch, which took place at 5:30 PM Central Time, initially appeared successful as all 33 Raptor engines ignited, propelling the massive vehicle into the sky over the Gulf of Mexico.

As the Starship surpassed critical milestones, including max aerodynamic pressure, the team celebrated the initial stages of the flight. Images from onboard cameras showcased breathtaking views of the rocket’s ascent. However, the operation soon took a turn for the worse when the Starship began to lose attitude control after approximately five minutes into the flight. Despite the successful separation from the Super Heavy booster and a return landing that was executed flawlessly, the Starship’s journey ended prematurely.

As the mission progressed, communications with the Starship were lost, and the rocket ultimately disintegrated, sending debris raining down towards Earth. Fortunately, SpaceX had established safety protocols, including debris response areas and coordination with air traffic control, to ensure public safety during such events.

SpaceX officials emphasized that the primary goal of these test flights is to gather data and learn from failures. While this incident marks another hurdle in the development of the Starship program, the company remains committed to advancing its technology. The team is already planning future flights to continue refining the rocket’s capabilities. Despite the setback, the successful return of the Super Heavy booster, which was captured by the launch tower, highlights SpaceX’s ongoing progress in reusable rocket technology. As the company analyzes the failure, it remains resolute in its mission to eventually send humans to Mars and beyond.