Starship Flight 8 Explosion Traced to ‘Flash’ in Rocket Engines 5j3a5g SpaceX Investigation Confirms

A sudden engine flash led to Starship Flight 8's explosive failure, SpaceX reveals in new update. 3x5co

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 29 May 2025 21:06 IST

Starship Flight 8 Explosion Traced to ‘Flash’ in Rocket Engines, SpaceX Investigation Confirms

Photo Credit: Twitter/Dean Olson 43437

Starship Flight 8 exploded midair after an engine flash triggered an onboard termination sequence

Highlights

A flash in a Raptor engine triggered a midair explosion during Starship F
Sea-level and vacuum Raptor engines shut down, causing the vehicle to tum
FAA clears SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 9 after resolving key issues

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While SpaceX gears up for the highly anticipated ninth test of its Starship launch vehicle, the company, being open as always, has disclosed why Flight 8's upper stage failed, which subsequently resulted in it blowing up in midair back on March 6. The test flight, which took off from the company's Starbase site in Texas, came to a screeching halt within minutes of reaching the sky when the top stage — known as Ship — experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Although the Super Heavy booster returned safely to Starbase with the aid of “Mechazilla”, the upper-stage anomaly cut the mission short, halting its attempt to deploy simulated Starlink satellites.

SpaceX Reveals Engine Flash Caused Starship Flight 8 Explosion, Flight 9 Cleared for May 27 Launch 2t5tq

As per a SpaceX Flight 7, which also ended in an upper-stage explosion, albeit from a fire in a different engine section.

The flash was traced to inadvertent propellant mixing and ignition within the engine bay. SpaceX mentioned further inspection revealed overheating in the ignition system of several engines. While Super Heavy returned to Earth mostly intact, ignition issues affected 2 of its 13 engines during the boostback burn. SpaceX is reinforcing engine insulation and modifying thermal systems to prevent recurrence in future flights.

SpaceX Fires Up Starship Upper Stage for Ninth Test Flight in Static Fire Trial

To correct the faults, SpaceX engineers implemented structural and mechanical improvements. More than 100 long-duration test firings at McGregor, Texas, overseen by the FAA, NASA, and Space Force, involved tighter ts, a new nitrogen purge system, improved propellant drainage, and Raptor 3 engine preparations.

With the FAA now satisfied SpaceX has resolved the issues, Starship is cleared to return to flight. Flight 9 is scheduled to launch no earlier than May 27 aboard a reused Super Heavy booster. SpaceX will livestream the launch on its official platforms starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

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