SpaceX says it lost a Starship prototype during a test flight

Starship spacecraft was lost during the seventh test launch. This was reported in the company SpaceX on January 17.

This test launch was the seventh in a row and was made at 1:37 Moscow time. Among the objectives of the Starship flight were the return of the Super Heavy rocket booster to the launch pad, as well as a series of experiments with heat shielding and other.

A SpaceX spokeswoman later said Starship was lost during the test launch.

"At this point, we can confirm that we have indeed lost the ship," the spokesperson said during a broadcast on the company's YouTube channel.

SpaceX clarified on social network X (formerly Twitter) that "Starship experienced a rapid unplanned dismount during its liftoff pulse." The cause of the incident is currently being investigated.

Starship's previous, sixth launch was on November 20, 2024. Starship is launched to return the Super Heavy rocket booster to the launch pad and re-engage the ship's Raptor engine in space. In addition, the tests also include a series of heat shielding experiments and maneuvering practice for the ship's return to Earth.