Above: Starship lifts off from Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas, for test flight 9. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX launched its Starship mega-rocket for the ninth time on May 27, marking the first-ever reuse of a Super Heavy booster. While the upper stage, Ship, successfully reached space for the first time, both stages were ultimately lost. Ship broke apart after a fuel tank leak; the Super Heavy booster disintegrated during descent. Despite missing key goals of the mission, the test gathered valuable flight data on reusability, heat shielding, and flight maneuvers. SpaceX plans to launch Starship again for its 10th flight in as little as three to four weeks.