The upper stage of SpaceX's Starship rocket exploded minutes after launch from Texas on Thursday, leading the aerospace company to declare the vessel a "loss" in the seventh test flight of the heavy-lift spacecraft.

The uncrewed Starship spacecraft was apparently destroyed during its first flight launch of 2025 that blasted off from south Texas.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a launch license for the next Starship flight test on Dec. 17, clearing the way for SpaceX to once again launch the world's largest rocket from south Texas. Ever since, SpaceX has been rapidly preparing for the seventh overall flight test of the 400-foot-tall Starship.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista to watch the seventh SpaceX Starship launch. People were excited as the

The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico on a near loop around the world. The booster was successfully caught at the launchpad.

"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. With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will help us improve Starship’s reliability," it read.

SpaceX is counting down to its seventh Starship test flight from South Texas. A 60-minute launch window opens at 4 p.m.

SpaceX’s colossal Starship megarocket just took flight for the vehicle’s seventh uncrewed test flight, blazing up the 33 engines at its base and sending a loud roar across the South Texas launch site.