SpaceX Starship test flight 9 fails to complete mission after fuel leak

SpaceX carried out its ninth Starship test launch on May 27, from its Starbase site in Texas. The test came after two recent flights ended in failure. This time, the goal was to prove the rocket system could carry test payloads and handle reentry, while using a previously flown Super Heavy booster.

Roughly 30 minutes into the flight, Starship lost control. A fuel leak during the coasting phase led to the spacecraft’s disintegration over the Indian Ocean. Despite early progress in the flight, the outcome mirrored the setbacks of the January and March launches earlier this year.

The failures weigh on a programme that has drawn heavy interest from NASA, the telecom sector, and the broader space community. Elon Musk has said that he still aims to send Starship to Mars in the near future but the technical and regulatory hurdles remain high.

Technical issues and the fuel leak behind the disintegration

The flight started smoothly with the Super Heavy booster lifting off without issue. After stage separation, the booster was set to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, while Starship continued toward its target orbit.

During the coasting phase, telemetry showed signs of a leak in the vehicle’s fuel systems, causing instability that worsened until the spacecraft could no longer stay intact, breaking apart over the ocean. No injuries or ground damage were reported, but the event ended SpaceX’s latest chance to show a full mission profile.

This marks the third test flight in a row to end before completing its goals. While some parts of the launch process have worked, the pattern of mid-flight issues signals ongoing problems that SpaceX needs to solve before any mission to the Moon or Mars can take place.

What’s at stake: Mars, the moon, and mission deadlines

Musk has long said he wants Starship to take people to Mars, starting with uncrewed test flights. He’s now targeting late 2026 for that first attempt. But as long as the test flights keep ending early, that goal looks harder to reach.

NASA has also picked Starship to land astronauts on the Moon under its Artemis III mission. Before that happens, SpaceX has to prove the system can launch, refuel in orbit, and land safely. Each failed test pushes the timeline further out.

The delays aren’t just about ambition. SpaceX has contracts and agreements in place with NASA and other partners. Any change to schedules can affect how other programmes move forward. The pressure is on to get a full test flight right soon.

FAA oversight and expanding launch safety measures

SpaceX isn’t flying these rockets on its own terms. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews and approves every test, and after the failure of Flight 8, the FAA paused flights until it could complete an investigation.

That investigation ended just days before Flight 9. New safety zones were set up around the launch area and along the expected flight path. These included broader hazard zones to keep aircraft and ships out of harm’s way.

The FAA is expected to conduct another review after Flight 9’s failure. SpaceX has said it welcomes the oversight, but also wants to move quickly. Balancing safety with speed has become one of the biggest tests for the program.

From test flights to telecom: Starship’s role in global internet plans

Not all of Starship’s plans are focused on Mars or the Moon. A major part of its mission is to support Starlink – SpaceX’s low-orbit satellite network that aims to provide internet access on the ground.

With its larger payload capacity, Starship is expected to launch bigger batches of Starlink satellites compared to the Falcon 9, which could help expand internet coverage faster. The recent Flight 9 was supposed to carry eight Starlink test payloads, which were lost in the failure.

SpaceX has also begun work on direct-to-cell services. It has teamed with T-Mobile and received FCC approval to provide cell signals through satellites. If Starship can reliably deploy new satellite models, it could make global mobile access more accessible.

Outside the US, SpaceX has deals with telecom providers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The partners see Starlink as a way to extend service into areas where building towers and cables is too expensive.

Why Starship still matters despite the risks

Even with the setbacks, many in the space industry still see Starship as a key piece of future missions. Its design allows for re-usability, large payloads, and long-distance travel. No other vehicle in development today offers that same combination.

NASA’s Artemis programme still lists Starship as a major part of its return-to-the-Moon plans. That endorsement gives SpaceX both credibility and responsibility. If Starship succeeds, it could reshape how missions are planned and what types of tools space agencies rely on.

There’s also the business side. Beyond Starlink, SpaceX wants Starship to take over jobs currently handled by the Falcon 9. These include launching satellites, cargo, and possibly private missions. Having one multi-purpose vehicle could lower costs and simplify operations.

Looking ahead: What’s next for the programme and its timelines

Musk has said that setbacks are part of the process. On X, he posted that each flight teaches SpaceX something new, but the learning curve is getting steeper, and the timeline tighter.

Work is already underway on the next test flight. Engineers are studying data from Flight 9 to find out what went wrong and how to prevent it next time. Fixing the fuel leak is only part of the challenge. They also need to ensure the vehicle can handle long-duration coasting, safe reentry, and precise control.

The next few launches will be critical. If SpaceX can get a full test flight done by the end of 2025, it would restore confidence in its Mars and Moon plans. If not, more delays and added scrutiny are likely.

Whether Starship reaches its goals or not, its progress – or lack of it – will shape how both public and private sectors think about space travel and global connectivity.

(Photo by Unsplash)

See also: Starlink approved to launch services in Congo after policy reversal