Starship: Elon Musk's rocket tries to overcome history of explosions
SpaceX is preparing to launch, this Thursday (21), a new version of Starship, the largest rocket - and ship - ever built in the world. The test takes place after a seven-month break and amid pressure on Elon Musk's company to prove that the project can overcome a sequence of failures and explosions.
The launch is scheduled for 7:30 pm Brasília time and marks the debut of the so-called "Version 3" of Starship, considered more powerful and equipped with structural improvements and new Raptor engines.
History of failures and explosions
Despite important advances in recent years, Starship's testing campaign has accumulated high-profile accidents.
During flights carried out in January and March 2025, the spacecraft exploded en route, scattering right-handed people
ices near populated areas in the Caribbean. In May, another test ended with the ship losing control during its descent to land in the Indian Ocean.
Also read: SpaceX spent $15 billion on new reusable rocket project
The company has also faced explosions during ground tests in Texas, including an incident that mobilized emergency teams in the region.
Even so, SpaceX claims that failures are part of the "rapid iterative development" strategy, a method that prioritizes frequent testing and accelerated learning to improve the rocket.
Artemis II returns to Earth: See how it arrived with landing at sea | CNN PRIME TIME
What changes in the new Starship
The new version of the vehicle is slightly larger than the previous one and uses more powerful and lighter Raptor engines.
Get to know Starship; largest spaceship in the world to be launched today
The complete system is 124 meters high and is made up of the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy propellant, equipped with 33 engines.
According to SpaceX, the objective is to make the entire system completely reusable - something unprecedented in the history of space exploration.
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/05/RAPTOR_SEA.mp4
What to expect from the flight
This Thursday's test should evaluate improvements to the ship's systems and engine performance. Starship is part of NASA's plans for the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the surface of the Moon.
-
Change imageChange image
1 of 125
After being rescued at sea, astronauts were taken to a ship. They will now undergo medical monitoring to begin the recovery period.
-
Change imageChange image
2 of 125
Removal of astronauts from Orion - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
3 of 125
Rescue of astronauts from the Orion capsule
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
4 of 125
Boats that removed the astronauts
-
Change imageChange image
5 of 125
Orion capsule hatch opens
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
6 of 125
Orion capsule hatch opens - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
7 of 125
Astronauts must exit the Artemis II capsule - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
8 of 125
Crew will be removed from capsule - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
9 of 125
Orion module of the Artemis II mission - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
10 out of 125
Rescue is carried out by NASA and Navy teams - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
11 of 125
Splash down moment of the Orion capsule - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
12 of 125
Orion's Splash Down Moment - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
13 of 125
Splash down moment of the Orion capsule - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
14 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
15 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
16 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
17 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
18 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
19 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere
-
Change imageChange image
20 of 125
Artemis II mission enters Earth's atmosphere - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
21 of 125
View of Earth from the return of the Artemis II mission - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
22 of 125
Image of Earth's atmosphere, recorded by the Artemis II mission - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
23 of 125
Image captures the moment the parachutes are released from Orion - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
24 of 125
Separation of the stripulantes module - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
25 of 125
Separation of the Artemis II mission module - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
26 of 125
Separation of the Artemis II mission module - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
27 of 125
Separation of the Artemis II mission module
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
28 of 125
Artemis II mission returns to Earth - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
29 of 125
Artemis II mission returns to Earth - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
30 of 125
Artemis II mission returns to Earth - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
31 of 125
Astronauts of the Artemis II mission prepare for the return to Earth - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
32 of 125
Astronauts from the Artemis II mission prepare for their return to Earth - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
33 of 125
Artemis on the way to return to Earth
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
34 of 125
Artemis before re-entering Earth's atmosphere
-
Change imageChange image
35 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
36 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
37 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
38 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
39 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
40 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
41 of 125
A close-up view, captured by the Artemis II crew, of Vavilov crater on the edge of the oldest and largest Hertzsprung basin - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
42 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
43 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
44 of 125
Image shows Orion capsule returning towards Earth - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
45 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
46 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
47 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
48 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
49 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
50 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
51 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
52 out of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission as an apparition of Venus on the left - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
53 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission, such as images of the Earth and the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
54 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission, such as images of the Earth and the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
55 out of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
56 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission - Reproduction/NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
57 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission such as craters on the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
58 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission, such as images of the Earth and the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
59 out of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission - Reproduction/NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
60 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission as the crew gathered with glasses - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
61 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission such as craters on the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
62 of 125
New photos show details of the Artemis II Mission, such as images of the Earth and the Moon - Reproduction/NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
63 of 125
First photo of the far side of the Moon released by NASA - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
64 of 125
Solar eclipse seen from Space - Reproduction/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
65 of 125
Artemis astronauts will be able to observe solar eclipse - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
66 of 125
Far side of the Moon - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
67 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
68 of 125
Astronauts approach the Moon this Monday (6) - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
69 of 125
The agency highlighted the image moments after the crew began their sleep period and wished the astronauts "sweet dreams" - Disclosure/NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
70 out of 125
Live images from the Artemis II mission show NASA scientists receiving and analyzing, in real time, photos of the Moon captured by the Orion spacecraft during its approach to the natural satellite - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
71 out of 125
Artemis II astronauts hug after historic distance record - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
72 out of 125
Artemis II with the Moon in its sights
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
73 out of 125
Orion captured this high-resolution selfie in space with a camera mounted on one of its solar panel wings during a routine external inspection of the spacecraft on day two of the Artemis II mission. The image was transmitted via the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System.
-
Change imageChange image
74 out of 125
Photo of Earth taken by Artemis II revives historic image of Apollo 17 - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
75 out of 125
Image of the Moon taken on Artemis II - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
76 out of 125
Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Reid Wiseman work together inside the Orion spacecraft - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
77 out of 125
Astronaut meal on board Orion - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
78 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
79 out of 125
Orion spacecraft heading to the Moon - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
80 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
81 out of 125
Image 1 - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
82 out of 125
Artemis II Orion spacecraft leaves Earth for the Moon - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
83 out of 125
Orion capsule heads towards the Moon - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
84 out of 125
NASA camera on the Orion capsule shows the Earth in the background - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
85 out of 125
Solar panels of the Orion spacecraft, which is heading to the Moon - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
86 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
87 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
88 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
89 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
90 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
91 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
92 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
93 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
94 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
95 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
96 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
97 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
98 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
99 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
100 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
101 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
102 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
103 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
104 of 125
Commander Reid observing Earth from space - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
105 out of 125
Astronaut, Christina Koch, admires the planet - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
106 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
107 of 125
This screenshot shows the Lunar Target Plan app, which guides Artemis II astronauts in their lunar science observations. - NASA
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
108 of 125
An iPhone displaying a photo of the Moon taken by Reid Wiseman is presented as a frame taken from a NASA video. - NASA
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
109 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
110 out of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
111 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
112 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
113 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
114 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
115 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
116 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
117 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
118 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
119 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
120 out of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
121 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
122 of 125
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
123 of 125
-
Change imageChange image
-
Swap imageSwap imageSwap image
124 of 125
Removal of astronauts from Orion
-
Change imageChange image
125 of 125
Orion capsule on return to Earth
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
default view
full view
grid view
SpaceX still needs to demonstrate that Starship can safely enter orbit, perform refueling in space and complete future missions without serious failures, steps considered essential to take astronauts to the Moon and, in the future, Mars.
Artemis II: who are the astronauts who will go to the Moon in NASA's new mission
Source: CNN