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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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Elon Musk's SpaceX often makes headlines for launching rocket ships that fail before touching back down, but that isn't necessarily a cause for concern, an expert told Newsweek.
SpaceX has carried out multiple launches of its Starship model, often with incendiary results, but each test has made advancements on the last, with the latest one this week reaching orbit.
The Context
SpaceX is the world's most valuable private startup, with a value of $350 billion. Musk's shares in the company are the largest singular contributor to his net worth, after Tesla's lackluster first quarter in 2025. SpaceX holds several major contracts with NASA and the federal government and is responsible for regular resupply and manned missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
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What To Know
One of SpaceX's more flammable test subjects has been the Starship, which has been tested three times in 2025.
Designed to eventually be a reusable rocket ship that could reach Mars, the Starship blew up in January and March and spun out of control during this week's most recent test.
SpaceX described the incident as a "rapid unscheduled disassembly," with one flight commentator saying: "We've essentially lost our attitude control with Starship."
These phrases may seem concerning, but they're part of SpaceX's "fail fast, learn fast" methodology. The explosions in January and March were caused by oxygen and fuel leaks near the ship's engine, causing an immediate inferno.
But the latest test did not have the same fault, allowing fuel to be vented away from the engine safely and preventing the collapsing ship from exploding.
Mike Gruntman, a professor of astronautics at the University of Southern California, told Newsweek that each test failure informed the next test, and that explosions were often welcomed because of the learning experience they provide to engineers.
In general, one either adds a few more capabilities on each fly to test or tries to do the entire system on each flight. The latter was an approach by the Apollo program, and it allowed to put man on the moon within a decade.
Failures in tests are common for complex systems, such as space launchers, especially of such enormous size and complexity as SpaceX's Starship.
What People Are Saying
Elon Musk, in March, reacting to an explosion: "Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!"
SpaceX: "Success comes from what we learn, and today's flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability."
What Happens Next
SpaceX will continue with Starship tests throughout the year. Several launches to resupply the ISS and return the crew of the current mission are also scheduled.
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