SpaceX's ninth test flight of Starship launches into space, ends in a spin
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SpaceX's Ninth Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure
Above: The SpaceX Starship rocket launches from Starbase, Texas, as seen from South Padre Island on May 27, 2025. Image copyright: Sergio Flores/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This test represents significant progress in SpaceX's rapid development approach, demonstrating improved performance with the first reuse of hardware and achieving the scheduled engine cutoff. Despite the ultimate failure, the mission provided valuable data for future improvements, maintaining momentum toward making life multi-planetary and revolutionizing space travel.
Narrative B
The repeated failures of Starship tests raise serious safety and environmental concerns, with debris falling across multiple regions requiring expanded hazard zones and flight diversions. The increased launch frequency approval — despite objections from conservation groups — and SpaceX's close ties to government agencies warrant closer scrutiny of the company's testing practices and regulatory oversight. Once again, Musk-linked companies are in the spotlight.