SpaceX mega rocket lost during descent! NASA hails effort by Elon Musk-led company

SpaceX mega rocket test flight showed promise, but ended in a setback as the spacecraft was lost during descent. It will affect the forthcoming moon missions, but big progress was made leading NASA to congratulate Elon Musk-led firm..

SpaceX came close to completing an hourlong test flight of its mega-rocket on its third try Thursday, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth. The company said it lost contact with the Starship as it neared its goal. It will impact future moon missions. (@SpaceX)

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1/7 SpaceX came close to completing an hourlong test flight of its mega-rocket on its third try Thursday, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth. The company said it lost contact with the Starship as it neared its goal. It will impact future moon missions. (@SpaceX)

Still, despite the setback, the launch from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border marked significant progress. Most aspects of the mission went smoothly until the loss of contact during descent, according to a report by AP. (SpaceX)

2/7 Still, despite the setback, the launch from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border marked significant progress. Most aspects of the mission went smoothly until the loss of contact during descent, according to a report by AP. (SpaceX)

Two previous test flights last year had ended disastrously with explosions minutes after liftoff. Surviving close to 50 minutes this time was considered a notable achievement by SpaceX's Elon Musk and NASA. (SpaceX)

3/7 Two previous test flights last year had ended disastrously with explosions minutes after liftoff. Surviving close to 50 minutes this time was considered a notable achievement by SpaceX's Elon Musk and NASA. (SpaceX)

The nearly 400-foot (121-meter) Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, took off successfully. It headed over the Gulf of Mexico and reached an altitude of about 145 miles (233 kilometres). (SpaceX)

4/7 The nearly 400-foot (121-meter) Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, took off successfully. It headed over the Gulf of Mexico and reached an altitude of about 145 miles (233 kilometres). (SpaceX)

Despite reaching impressive heights and distances, contact was lost 49 minutes into the flight. The spacecraft was presumed to have broken apart 40 miles (65 kilometres) high while travelling around 16,000 mph (25,700 kph). (SpaceX)

5/7 Despite reaching impressive heights and distances, contact was lost 49 minutes into the flight. The spacecraft was presumed to have broken apart 40 miles (65 kilometres) high while travelling around 16,000 mph (25,700 kph). (SpaceX)

SpaceX's Elon Musk had commended his team earlier for their progress. NASA, keenly interested in Starship's success for its Artemis moon-landing program, congratulated SpaceX on the test flight. (AP)

6/7 SpaceX's Elon Musk had commended his team earlier for their progress. NASA, keenly interested in Starship's success for its Artemis moon-landing program, congratulated SpaceX on the test flight. (AP)

NASA and SpaceX are focused on the future, aiming for successful crewed missions to the moon using Starship. Both organizations are determined to learn from setbacks and continue pushing boundaries in space exploration. (Reuters)

7/7 NASA and SpaceX are focused on the future, aiming for successful crewed missions to the moon using Starship. Both organizations are determined to learn from setbacks and continue pushing boundaries in space exploration. (Reuters)