The 10th test of the world’s most powerful rocket Starship has been postponed due to a malfunction in the ground system.
A ground system malfunction means there is a technical problem in the equipment, machines, or systems on the ground used to launch the rocket. It was supposed to be launched today, August 25, from Boca Chica at 5 AM. Earlier, this test was scheduled for June 29, but the Starship exploded during the static fire test. In this test, the rocket is placed on the ground and its engine is started to check if everything is working properly before launch.
During the test, an explosion suddenly started in the upper part of the rocket. In no time, the entire rocket turned into a ball of fire. This rocket has been built by SpaceX, owned by the world’s richest businessman Elon Musk. The Starship spacecraft (upper part) and Super Heavy booster (lower part) are collectively called ‘Starship’. This vehicle is 403 feet tall. It is completely reusable. Mission Objective: Gathering Data Through Essential Experiments Ninth Test: Booster landed, but ship lost ontrol In the 9th test on May 28, 2025, Starship lost control about 30 minutes after launch, causing it to be destroyed upon entering Earth’s atmosphere. This was the third consecutive time that Starship was destroyed in the sky. However, the booster made a hard landing in the Gulf of America. Eighth Test: Booster landed but ship exploded Starship’s eighth test took place on March 7 according to Indian time. Seven minutes after launch, the booster (lower part) separated and returned to the launch pad. But after 8 minutes, 4 out of six engines in the ship (upper section) stopped working causing the ship to lose control. After this, the automated abort system blasted the ship. Due to falling debris, flights at Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale airports were affected. Seventh Test: Booster returned; but spacecraft exploded in the sky On January 17, 2025, Starship’s seventh test was not completely successful. After 8 minutes of launching, the booster (lower part) separated and returned to the launch pad, but the ship (upper part) exploded due to an oxygen leak. Sixth Test: When difficulty appeared in landing on launchpad, landed on water, Trump was also present Starship’s sixth test was conducted on November 20, 2024 at 03:30 AM. America’s newly elected President Donald Trump had also arrived at Starbase to watch the test. In this test, the booster was supposed to be caught back on the launchpad after launch, but due to all parameters not being correct, it was decided to land it in water. The Starship’s engine was restarted in space. After this, it landed in the Indian Ocean. Fifth Test: First time the booster was caught on the launch pad The fifth test of Starship was conducted on October 13, 2024. In this test, the super heavy booster sent 96 km above Earth was brought back to the launch pad, which was caught by Mechazilla. Mechazilla consists of two metal arms that look like chopsticks. Meanwhile, Starship was re-entered into Earth’s atmosphere and made a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean. When Starship entered Earth’s atmosphere, its speed was 26,000 kilometers per hour and the temperature reached up to 1,430°C. Fourth Test: Starship was taken to space, then landed in water Starship’s fourth test was conducted on June 6, 2024, which was successful. The 1.05-hour mission was launched from Boca Chica at 6:20 PM. In this, Starship was taken to space, then brought back to Earth and landed on water. The main goal of the test was to see if Starship could survive during entry into Earth’s atmosphere. After the test, company owner Elon Musk said, ‘Despite the loss of several tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made a soft landing in the ocean.’
Third Test: Contact with Starship lost after reentry This test took place on March 14, 2024. SpaceX reported that Starship did not survive during reentry, but it achieved several important milestones during the flight. Meanwhile, Elon Musk said that he hopes half a dozen Starship flights will take place this year. Second Test: Malfunction occurred after stage separation Starship’s second test was conducted on November 18, 2023, at around 6:30 PM. Stage separation between the Super Heavy booster and Starship occurred about 2.4 minutes after launch. The booster was supposed to land back on Earth, but it exploded at 90 km altitude after 3.2 minutes. Meanwhile, Starship proceeded according to plan. After about 8 minutes, at 148 km above Earth, Starship also experienced a malfunction, which led to its destruction. It was destroyed using the flight termination system. In the second test, the hot staging process was used for the first time to separate the rocket and Starship, which was completely successful. All 33 Raptor engines also fired correctly from launch to separation. First Test: Exploded 4 minutes after launch The first orbital test of Starship was conducted on April 20, 2023. Booster 7 and Ship 24 were launched in this test. Just 4 minutes after takeoff, Starship exploded 30 kilometers above near the Gulf of Mexico. Even after Starship’s failure, Elon Musk and employees were celebrating. This was because the rocket taking off from the launch pad itself was a big success. Musk had said two days before the launch – Success may or may not come, but excitement is guaranteed. SpaceX had said – A part of it suddenly separated before the separation stage, although this was not planned. With such a test, what we learn leads to success. Today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability. Teams will continue to review data and work towards the next flight test. Starship System What can Starship do? Starship will take humans to Mars This launch is important because this spaceship will make humans interplanetary. Meaning, with its help, humans will step on another planet besides Earth for the first time. Musk wants to establish a colony on Mars by taking humans there by 2029. The spaceship will also be capable of transporting humans to any corner of the world in less than an hour. Why is there a need to establish a colony on Mars? On the need to establish a colony on Mars, Elon Musk says – ‘A life-ending event on Earth could cause the end of humanity, but if we establish our base on Mars, humanity can survive there.’ Millions of years ago, dinosaurs on Earth also ended due to a life-ending event. Similarly, Professor Stephen Hawking had also said in 2017 that if humans want to survive, they need to expand within 100 years. Starship spacecraft is part of the Artemis program The success of this mission is also important because the Starship spacecraft is part of NASA’s Artemis program.
Through this, humans will return to the moon after 5 decades. Starship will complete the final phase of the lunar mission. It will take astronauts from the spacecraft to lunar orbit and also land on the moon.
