Its most recent mission, which occurred on Jan. 16, featured both successes and failures. For example, SpaceX caught the returning Super Heavy back at Starbase with the launch tower's "chopstick" arms, but Ship was lost after developing propellant leaks less than 10 minutes into flight.

Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, was set to lift off during a one-hour window that opened at 5:30 p.m. CT. During its last test run, the spacecraft exploded over the Caribbean, raining debris over populated islands.