SpaceX lost the second part of its next-generation Starship rocket during its seventh orbital test.
The cause was "engine abnormalities during its ascent to space," the company said.
"At this point, we can confirm that we did indeed lose the ship," SpaceX's Kate Tice said, adding, "We always knew that excitement was guaranteed today, but success is not guaranteed."
The tech giant did succeed though - it managed to once again capture the descent accelerator of the first stage of its Starship mega-rocket in the launch tower's "claws" - a stunning feat of engineering that was first accomplished in October.
The gleaming stainless-steel accelerator gently descended with the help of its thrusters, eliciting cheers and applause from the SpaceX flight control team at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. | BGNES
