SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket on next test flight, after a fiery explosion ended the last one


SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket on next test flight, after a fiery explosion ended the last one

March 2, 2025, 7:00 AM EST By Denise Chow SpaceX plans to launch its Starship megarocket on its next test flight on Monday, roughly six weeks after the vehicle’s upper stage blew up over the Atlantic Ocean during the last such test. In that mishap on Jan. 16, SpaceX lost communication with Starship about eight minutes into the flight, and the vehicle’s subsequent explosion sent debris streaking through the sky. Dust and small pieces rained over parts of Turks and Caicos, but local authorities said there were no injuries. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after the accident and grounded the rocket during the probe. On Friday, the agency cleared Starship to return to flight but said its investigation remains open.