Starbase, Texas — SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on May 27, 2025, at 6:36 p.m. CDT from its Starbase facility in Texas for the ninth integrated flight test (IFT-9) of the vehicle. The mission, using Ship 35 and Booster 14-2, marked the first reflight of a Super Heavy booster but encountered significant challenges, including the loss of both stages, as SpaceX continues to refine the reusable launch system for lunar and Martian missions.
The objectives of IFT-9 included reusing Booster 14-2, previously flown on Flight 7, deploying eight Starlink mass simulators, testing an in-space Raptor engine relight, and achieving a controlled reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The mission also aimed to address issues from Flights 7 and 8, which ended in upper stage failures, and to conduct experiments on the booster under off-nominal conditions, such as a higher angle of attack during descent to reduce propellant use.
The launch proceeded with all 33 Raptor engines on Booster 14-2 igniting successfully, and the hot-staging separation was completed as planned. Ship 35 reached orbital velocity, surpassing the ascent failures of the prior two flights. Booster 14-2 executed a boost-back burn and attempted a landing burn over the Gulf of Mexico but was destroyed during this phase, an event SpaceX described as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” in a statement on X.
Ship 35 faced issues after the second engine cutoff. A propellant leak caused a loss of attitude control, leading to an uncontrolled spin and disintegration during reentry over the Indian Ocean, according to SpaceX and Reuters. The payload bay door failed to open, preventing the deployment of the Starlink simulators, and the planned Raptor relight was not attempted due to the spin.
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, noted on X that the mission reached the scheduled engine cutoff and retained most heat shield tiles during ascent, an improvement over previous flights. He acknowledged the propellant leak as a key issue, stating, “Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review.” SpaceX emphasized the iterative nature of the test, stating, “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability.”
The mission tested experimental heat shield configurations, including removed tiles, metallic variants, and catch fittings for future recovery attempts, but the spin prevented data collection on these elements. The booster’s experiments, including a higher angle of attack, provided partial data before its loss.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the launch on May 15, expanding the aircraft hazard area to 1,600 nautical miles after debris from Flights 7 and 8 disrupted air traffic. The FAA confirmed no public safety issues arose from IFT-9, as debris fell safely in the Indian Ocean.
Lessons from the flight include the need to address propellant leaks, a recurring issue since Flight 7, where vibrations caused similar failures. The payload door mechanism and heat shield performance require further refinement, and booster recovery under aggressive flight profiles needs improvement. SpaceX plans to accelerate testing, with Musk indicating a launch cadence of every three to four weeks for the next three flights.
IFT-9 was a step toward SpaceX’s goal of a reusable launch system for NASA’s Artemis program, which has invested $4 billion in Starship for lunar landings, and for Musk’s vision of Mars missions. This mission is another step on the path to developing a reusable heavy-lift vehicle. SpaceX’s iterative approach, built on testing to failure, will use IFT-9’s data to inform future flights as the company works toward operational missions.
