SpaceX loses Starship on reentry over Indian Ocean

SpaceX lost contact with its Starship rocket on reentry over the Indian Ocean, the company said Thursday, but the third test flight was still deemed a success as it advanced further than either previous test.

The unmanned spaceship blasted off successfully from the company's base in Boca Chica, Texas, at 8:25 a.m. local time.

The rocket, from Elon Musk's SpaceX, is being tested as the company pushes to travel to the moon, and even, eventually, Mars.

"As the most powerful launch system ever developed, Starship will be able to carry up to 100 people on long-duration, interplanetary flights," the company says. "Starship will also enable satellite delivery, the development of a Moon base, and point-to-point transport here on Earth."

Musk touted Starship -- at approximately 5,000 tons -- as "the largest flying object ever made."

SpaceX had conducted its second Starship rocket test flight in November 2023, during which the booster exploded after separating and the spacecraft apparently detonated after reaching space.

Thursday's flight spent more than 45 minutes in space before the command center lost contact with the ship.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.