SpaceX launch: System forced Starship to self-destruct after it went off course

The first launch attempt was scrubbed Monday due to a frozen valve.

ByMary Kekatos
Last Updated: April 20, 2023, 5:55 PM EDT

SpaceX attempted a second launch of its Starship rocket Thursday morning after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to a frozen valve in the pressurization system.

The launch took place at the company's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, about 20 miles east of Brownsville. The rocket was forced to self-destruct minutes after liftoff when the boosters failed to separate.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 20, 2023, 11:40 AM EDT

FAA investigating Starship explosion

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the explosion of SpaceX's Starship that occurred a few minutes after liftoff.

The agency is responsible for protecting Americans during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

PHOTO: SpaceX's Starship explodes after launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023.
SpaceX's Starship explodes after launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, April 20, 2023. The giant new rocket exploded minutes after blasting off on it first test flight and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
Eric Gay/AP

"An anomaly occurred during the ascent and prior to stage separation resulting in a loss of the vehicle," the FAA said in a statement. "No injuries or public property damage have been reported."

"The FAA will oversee the mishap investigation of the Starship/Super Heavy test mission. A return to flight of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. This is standard practice for all mishap investigations."

SpaceX said the rocket's boosters did not properly separate following the launch.

-ABC News' Gina Sunseri

Apr 20, 2023, 10:35 AM EDT

Elon Musk says next launch will be in 'a few months'

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk congratulated the team in a tweet and said the next launch would be later this year, but didn't give any specific dates.

"Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship!" Musk tweeted. "Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months."

Musk also shared a video of the Starship rocket right after liftoff.

Apr 20, 2023, 10:05 AM EDT

SpaceX congratulates team even after rocket self-destructs

SpaceX congratulated the team behind the Starship rocket launch, even after it was forced to self-destruct when the boosters failed to separate.

"With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary," SpaceX tweeted.

SpaceX's next-generation Starship spacecraft atop its powerful Super Heavy rocket self-destructs after its launch from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on a brief test flight near Brownsville, Texas, April 20, 2023 in a still image from video.
SpaceX via Reuters

"Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting first integrated flight test of Starship!"

SpaceX said the team will be reviewing the data and working towards its next launch attempt.

Apr 20, 2023, 9:50 AM EDT

Starship boosters fail to separate from shuttle, rocket blown up

SpaceX was able to get its Starship rocket off the pad, but all didn't go as planned.

About three minutes into flight, "Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation," SpaceX tweeted.

Therefore, SpaceX was forced to abort the mission and blow up the rocket, but the team says it's more of "success" than they hoped for.

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