Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to send humans to Mars next year has been dealt a major setback. SpaceX’s Starship, which is designed to be the first reusable spacecraft capable of taking both people and cargo to the Red Planet, failed for a third time in a row during its ninth test flight.
The latest failure occurred during the second stage of the launch, when it successfully turned off its engines after reaching space but was unable to re-enter the atmosphere intact. The rocket’s descent on the other side of the world was characterized by spectacular fireworks, but the outcome was far from celebratory.
Despite this setback, SpaceX is optimistic about the future of its Starship program. The company has been working tirelessly to improve its technology and address the issues that have plagued it so far. With continued investment in research and development, Musk hopes to overcome these challenges and make humanity’s first journey to Mars a success.
As the world watches with bated breath, SpaceX remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and making its vision of a human settlement on Mars a reality. The company’s perseverance and determination will be crucial in overcoming this latest setback and achieving its ambitious goals.
Source: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/28/elon-musks-plans-to-go-to-mars-next-year-are-toast