The latest test of Space X’s huge Starship rocket may have failed just minutes after launch but it didn’t fail miserably. Officials at Musk founded space technology company said the upper stage was lost after glitches developed after lift-off from Texas on Thursday (16^th January 2025). But the test was not an abject failure and the Super Heavy booster managed to return to its launchpad as planned, prompting a round of applause from ground control teams.

The mission came just hours after the first flight of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket system.  New Glenn rocket system is named after John Glenn (the first American to orbit Earth). Just like SpaceX, Blue Origin is also an American space technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos (Amazon boss) with a vision of millions of people living and working in space in future for the benefit of Earth. Blue Origin just like SpaceX want to dominate the space vehicle market on the behalf of their founders.

New Glenn launch

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin would be extremely delighted to have achieved its core goal of sending New Glenn into orbit for the very first time despite failing to land New Glenn’s booster on a landing platform in the Atlantic. Booster landing part was a “nice to have” rather than indispensable part of this mission. This launch presents a challenge to Musk’s space dominance. Bezos and Musk are competing over who actually has the biggest and most powerful rocket. Musk has left Bezos far behind and Bezos has to play the catch up. Elon Musk congratulated Blue Origin on X for New Glenn launch. “Congratulations on reaching orbit on the first attempt! @JeffBezos,” Musk wrote.

Starship test

16^th January 2025 Starship test was a partial success as the upper stage may have been lost but the Super Heavy booster managed to return to its launchpad as planned. “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand root cause,” SpaceX wrote on X. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability.” “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!” Musk wrote on X, sharing a video showing a fiery trail streaking though the sky. He also informed “improved versions” of the ship and booster were “already waiting for launch”. The Super Heavy booster managed to successfully return to its launchpad about seven minutes after lift-off as planned, prompting a round of applause from ground control teams.