SpaceX's ninth Starship demo ended in failure as the rocket began to tumble and disintegrated during its mission. Despite initial hopes to deploy mock satellites, a partial door malfunction and fuel leaks led to an uncontrolled descent. Elon Musk viewed the event as an improvement over earlier launches, while acknowledging the need for tests. The company aims to increase launch frequency, targeting three to four weeks between flights, and intends to analyze data to prepare for future tests.
"Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test," the company said in an online statement.
Musk noted in a post on X it was a 'big improvement' from the two previous demos, which ended in flaming debris over the Atlantic.
Despite the latest setback, he promised a faster launch pace moving forward, with a Starship soaring every three to four weeks.
The company had been looking to test the spacecraft's heat shield during a controlled reentry.
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