The latest test of Space X’s giant Starship rocket failed minutes after launch.
Officials at Elon Musk’s company said the upper stage was lost following problems after takeoff from Texas on Thursday.
The mission took place a few hours after the first flight of the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket system, supported by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.
The two tech billionaires both want to dominate the space vehicle market.
“Starship experienced a rapid and unplanned disassembly during its ascent. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand the root cause,” SpaceX posted on X.
“With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve the reliability of the Starship.”
Unverified footage on social media shows what appears to be the rocket igniting.
“Success is uncertain, but fun is guaranteed!” Mr. Musk posted to X, sharing images of the launch’s aftermath.
He also said that “upgraded versions” of the ship and booster were “already awaiting launch.”
Footage of the launch received 7.2 million views, according to a SpaceX livestream.
The Starship system had taken off from Boca Chica, Texas, at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT) on the company’s seventh test mission.
The Starship’s upper stage separated from its Super Heavy booster nearly four minutes into the flight, as planned.
But Dan Huot, SpaceX communications manager, reported live that mission teams had lost contact with the ship.
The Super Heavy booster successfully returned to its launch pad approximately seven minutes after liftoff as planned, prompting an explosion of applause from ground control teams.
This comes a day after a SpaceX rocket lifted off from Florida carrying two privately built lunar landers and a micro rover to the Moon.
The uncrewed Falcon 9 launched Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center.
And Bezos’ Blue Origin company successfully launched a rocket into orbit for the first time.
It was a huge step forward for Bezos and his company, which took years to get a rocket into orbit.
