SpaceX Starship explodes during splashdown in Indian Ocean

SpaceX on Friday successfully completed the 12th test flight of its massive Starship rocket system, with the spacecraft making a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean after a high-risk mission that included several technical glitches during flight. The launch took place shortly after 5.30 pm local time (2230 GMT), as SpaceX tested the latest third-generation version of Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket system. The voyage was not without a few glitches, but SpaceX employees shown on a livestream roared in delight following the trial flight that comes as the firm owned by Elon Musk prepares a potentially record initial public offering.

SPACEX MEGAROCKET EXPLODES on splashdown pic.twitter.com/WFCVVqUq6P

— RT (@RT_com) May 22, 2026

The company had not planned to recover either the Super Heavy booster or the upper-stage spacecraft during this mission. The final descent into the Indian Ocean was fiery but controlled, according to SpaceX. However, the mission was not entirely smooth. SpaceX officials said the spacecraft did not achieve its intended orbit after one of its engines failed during an early burn phase.