From successful liftoff to disastrous breakdown: Spacex's Starship seventh test flight in pictures

SpaceX's Starship test flight ended with the upper spacecraft’s destruction due to engine failures. However, its Super Heavy booster was successfully caught by the launch pad's mechanical arms. (Photo: AP)

The Starship carried 10 dummy satellites, practising deployment techniques for future missions. Despite the mission's failure, this marked progress for satellite operations. (Photo: AP)

Elon Musk revealed that a fuel and oxygen leak caused a pressure buildup above the engine firewall, leading to the rocket's destruction. Corrective measures are underway. (Photo: AP)

Nasa has reserved Starships for lunar missions later this decade, with SpaceX’s ongoing tests critical for achieving these ambitious goals. (Photo: AP)

Before communication was lost, the spacecraft reached an altitude of 90 miles (146 km) and a speed of 13,245 mph (21,317 kph), highlighting its potential. (Photo: AP)

SpaceX admitted to "rapid unscheduled disassembly" during the ascent burn but emphasised the learning opportunity to improve reliability for future launches. (Photo: AP)

Orange lights streaked across the sky as debris from the SpaceX rocket launched in Texas was spotted over the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Photo: AP)

This test flight showcased an enhanced Starship design for future lunar and interplanetary missions, underlining the technical challenges of reusable spacecraft development. (Photo: AP)