Washington:SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket from Texas, successfully sending its spacecraft into orbit but abandoning a planned attempt to catch the rocket's first-stage booster at the launch site.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the rocket lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase facility in southern Texas on its 15th test flight, aimed at demonstrating the full reusability of the world's most powerful rocket system. The Super Heavy booster separated from the upper-stage spacecraft shortly after liftoff but was diverted to the Gulf of Mexico rather than returning to the launch tower, where giant mechanical arms were supposed to catch it. The booster descended into the water in flames after SpaceX cancelled the recovery attempt, and the company did not immediately explain the decision.

Despite the missed catch, Starship continued into orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites. The spacecraft is expected to complete 14 orbits of Earth before returning to Starbase, where SpaceX plans to attempt the first-ever catch of a Starship upper stage. The attempt will proceed only if SpaceX determines the spacecraft can return safely. SpaceX has designated alternative landing sites in the Pacific Ocean.

Standing 124 metres tall, Starship is central to SpaceX's plans for missions to the moon and Mars. The spacecraft is also being developed for NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface.