In pictures: SpaceX’s Starship explodes in spectacular fireball

The Starship rocket, the most powerful ever built, has experienced a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' on its first test flight. The rocket successfully cleared the launch tower and had reached an altitude of over 35km when the first stage booster failed to separate, sending the rocket into a spin. After a few moments the rocket then exploded.

In the build-up to launch, SpaceX had expressed limited ambition for this first test. Their main aim was to clear the launch tower, which was achieved after a very brief interruption during the final countdown. The excitement at SpaceX's Starbase was palpable, and even though the rocket did not complete its mission, there was a lot of celebration on the ground.

It is hoped that all the information gathered on this first flight will ensure that the next test of Starship is more successful.

Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built; twice as powerful as the Saturn V rocket used to take humans to the Moon in 1969, according to SpaceX. It is also fully reusable, making it far cheaper to operate, and allowing a quicker turnaround between missions.

The rocket needs to be powerful in order to transport large payloads of equipment for potential crewed missions to the Moon and Mars as part of NASA's Artemis programme. The success of Starship's future tests therefore represent an important step towards exploring other planets in the next few years.

All go for first launch attempt

Starship launchpad — SpaceX's Starship rocket stands on the launchpad at South Padre Island, Texas, USA, on 16 April 2023, the day before its first launch attempt. Photo by SpaceX/Flickr

Gathering crowds

Rocket on launchpad with cars close by — Crowds gather at the launch site of SpaceX's Starship, at South Padre Island, Texas, USA, on 17 April 2023. Photo by SpaceX/Flickr

Last minute hitch

Rocket on launchpad with smoke plumes — The Starship rocket stands on the launchpad from the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica as seen from South Padre Island, Texas, USA on 17 April 2023. Liftoff of the giant rocket was called off just minutes ahead of the scheduled launch time because of a pressurisation issue, SpaceX officials said. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Attempting to fix the problem

Workmen with ladders examine rocket — Workers prepare the SpaceX Starship as the sun sets behind them ahead of the launch from the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, USA, on 18 April 2023. The launch of the rocket was rescheduled for 20 April 2023, after a technical glitch forced a halt to the countdown. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Early morning start for second launch attempt

misty rocket launch pad — The SpaceX Starship, seen from South Padre Island, Texas, USA, sits on the launchpad in the early-morning mist, 20 April 2023. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Lift off

Rocket blasts off — Starship is seen as the first stage ignites and the inaugural flight begins. Photo by SpaceX

Rocket with flames and smoke — The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, USA, on 20 April 2023. The rocket successfully blasted off at 8:33 am Central Time (1333 GMT). Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

First stage looks good

Rocket with flames flying upwards — The SpaceX Starship lifts off from the launchpad during a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on 20 April 20, 2023. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

More images from BBC Science Focus:

We've had a problem...

rocket and flames in sky — A little under 3 minutes into the flight, the first and second stages of Starship fail to separate, causing the rocket to spin. Photo by SpaceX

Explosive end

Explosion in the sky — After managing to stay airborne for nearly four minutes, Starship explodes, before falling back to Earth. Photo by SpaceX

Launch pad damaged

man walking past damaged rocket launch structures — A member of the public walks through a debris field at the launch pad on 22 April 2023. The launch of the most powerful rocket ever constructed caused a substantial amount of damage to the area surrounding the launch pad, including craters from rock debris. Photo by Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

James CutmorePicture Editor, BBC Science Focus

James Cutmore is the picture editor of BBC Science Focus Magazine, researching striking images for the magazine and on the website. He is also has a passion for taking his own photographs

In pictures: SpaceX’s Starship explodes in spectacular fireball

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