SpaceX crashes a second Starship into South Texas [Updated]

Enlarge / SN NEIN meets its fate on Tuesday afternoon. (credit: SpaceX)

4pm ET Update: SpaceX's SN9 prototype took off from its launch site on Tuesday afternoon and made what appeared to be a nominal flight to an altitude of 10km. The rocket then executed its belly flop maneuver before nearing the ground. However, it seems that one of the two Raptor rocket engines required for the landing did not relight, so the rocket crashed.

The next prototype on a launch stand nearby, SN10, was not harmed. It will probably fly a similar mission in a few weeks to see if SpaceX can stick the landing this time.

Original post: SpaceX finally has won approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch its Starship prototype vehicle SN9 in South Texas.

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