BOCA CHICA, Texas – SpaceX’s latest test flight of the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster did not go as planned, ending in explosions over the ocean. Despite the failed mission, the company still had some important accomplishments to note.

During the flight, the Starship spacecraft made it further than in its previous test flight in April, reaching a significant milestone. The spacecraft successfully separated from the Super Heavy booster using a new method called “hot staging,” which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had previously identified as the riskiest part of the flight.

However, the mission took a turn when the Super Heavy booster began tumbling out of control and exploded over the Gulf of Mexico. Despite this setback, SpaceX initially considered the test a success as the Starship continued on its path, only to later lose video signal and data, leading to its destruction.

Despite the failed mission, SpaceX emphasized the value of the data collected during the test and the lessons learned from the experience. The company has a history of embracing failures and utilizing them to refine its engineering, a philosophy that prioritizes learning and refining design through early test flights.

In the end, SpaceX’s latest test flight may not have met all its objectives, but the company remains focused on gathering valuable insights to improve future flights and continue developing the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster.