SpaceX Starship reaches orbit after booster recovery attempt is aborted

SpaceX launched its 15th Starship test flight into orbit but aborted catching the returning rocket booster.

SpaceX launched its 15th Starship rocket from south Texas on a planned 22-hour orbital test flight. The aerospace company aborted an ambitious attempt to catch the returning Super Heavy booster at the launchpad after automated systems detected a navigation issue. The booster exploded over the Gulf of Mexico, while the upper-stage spacecraft entered Earth orbit to complete 14 global rotations.

• The setbackGuidance and navigation systems triggered an automatic launchpad abort, forcing the booster into an ocean splashdown.
• The destructionThe first-stage booster exploded into a fireball over the Gulf of Mexico shortly after redirecting away from land.
• The payloadThe upper-stage spacecraft entered orbit with plans to deploy 15 Starlink internet satellites during its mission.

What's new · 20m agoStarship established Earth orbit to deploy Starlink satellites, while SpaceX identified guidance and navigation control issues behind the aborted booster landing.