SpaceX’s Starship blew up again — that’s three fails in a row.

SpaceX’s enormous 400-foot Starship rocket exploded just minutes after launch, marking the third consecutive test flight failure. The Starship program, designed to eventually ferry humans and cargo to Mars, encountered serious problems during its latest mission on May 28 at SpaceX’s Texas launch site.

What went wrong?

Shortly after liftoff, the first-stage Super Heavy booster detonated, cutting the flight short. Meanwhile, the upper-stage Starship experienced a fuel leak during its reentry to Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to lose control and explode. This sequence of events was broadcast live on SpaceX’s official channels, providing an unfiltered look at the challenges the program still faces.

Previous tests in January and March ended in similar explosions, highlighting the difficulties of developing a rocket of this scale and complexity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident but confirmed that no injuries or damage to public property occurred.

Elon Musk stays focused on progress

Despite the setback, Elon Musk expressed cautious optimism. He pointed out that Starship reached its scheduled engine cutoff for the first time, a key step toward operational success. The heat shield tiles, which protect the rocket during the intense heat of reentry, suffered minimal damage—another positive sign.

Musk also noted that the main issue was the fuel leak causing pressure loss during descent. Looking ahead, he plans to increase the frequency of Starship test flights to one every three to four weeks to speed up development.

Plans for Starship v3 and Mars missions

Musk announced that SpaceX aims to launch Starship version 3 by the end of this year. This next iteration is expected to include all the features needed to support human spaceflight and establish a sustainable presence on Mars.

The first mission to Mars, tentatively scheduled for late 2026, will be uncrewed and carry a Tesla Optimus robot. This robot will explore and prepare the Martian environment ahead of human arrivals, which Musk hopes will happen by 2028.

Technical challenges ahead

One of the biggest hurdles remains in-orbit refueling—a process where Starship would be refueled while in space, extending its range for deep space missions. Musk emphasized that this technique has never been successfully demonstrated but is critical for Mars missions.

Future Starships will also be taller, reaching heights of 142 meters compared to the current 121 meters, allowing for greater fuel capacity and payload.

Connecting Mars with Starlink

Musk also highlighted SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network as a key element of Mars colonization plans. Revenue from Starlink services on Earth helps fund the company’s ambitious space goals and will provide internet connectivity on Mars as well.

Ultimately, Musk envisions a thriving Martian civilization with regular flights transporting millions of people and tons of cargo. Despite the recent setbacks, the timeline toward making humans a multiplanetary species remains intact.