SpaceX Starship capsizes and catches fire after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

End of Starship test flight

The Starship spacecraft, developed by SpaceX, suffered an accident after completing a test flight. Following a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the vehicle capsized, leading to an explosion caused by the ignition of residual fuel.

The primary objective of this mission was to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites into Earth orbit.

Premature engine shutdown

The flight was planned to last nearly 10 hours and involved six orbits around the planet. However, the course of events changed after one of the Raptor engines shut down prematurely. Due to this malfunction, the mission was shortened to approximately three hours.

Splashdown near Hawaii

After the shortened flight ended, Starship performed a controlled splashdown in the area north of Hawaii. The spacecraft subsequently capsized, after which an explosion occurred.