SpaceXLaunch was a Partial Failure

12.5 km Flight

Starship Prototype

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 22:45:25 GMT

Historical mission record

This page records Starship SN8 | 12.5 km Flight and its reported outcome: Launch was a Partial Failure. The date above is a historical record.

Source record updated Mar 5, 2024, 5:38 PM UTC. This is a source update, not a confirmed launch time.

Check the source: Source ↗ · Launch Library ↗

How to read launch targets and status

The latest on this mission

What changed?

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 21:26:44 GMT

new T-0 22:40 UTC

Update ↗

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 21:25:52 GMT

NET 22:40 utc

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 20:58:35 GMT

updated T-0

Update ↗

Mission status

Launch was a Partial Failure

Status reported by the mission data provider.

LAUNCH SITESpaceX Starbase, TX, USA

Mission

The SN8 Starship prototype was destroyed when attempting to land after a first flight to an altitude of 12.5 km or 41,000 ft.

Launch vehicle: Starship Prototype
Mission type: Test Flight
Destination orbit: Suborbital
Launch pad: Suborbital Pad A
Provider: SpaceX
Programs: SpaceX Starship
Recovery: Return to Launch Site, SN8 was destroyed when attempting to land back near its launch site after its first flight. +1

The vehicle

Published configuration and flight history.

Launch vehicle

Starship Prototype

Prototype of SpaceX's Starship, a fully reusable second stage and space vehicle.

Height: 50 m
Diameter: 9 m
Stages: 1
Recorded launches: 9
First flight: 2019-07-26

Core

SN8

Flight 1NewLanding failed

Recovery: SpaceX Starship Landing Pad
Landing method: Return to Launch Site

Recorded timing

This is a mission record, not an upcoming calendar appointment.

9h windowPublished target

WINDOW OPENSWed, 09 Dec 2020 14:00:00 GMT

WINDOW CLOSESWed, 09 Dec 2020 23:00:00 GMT

Target · Wed, 09 Dec 2020 22:45:25 GMT

The target marker shows its position within the published window. The schedule may change before launch.

Mission update

Test completed set out objectives, but the vehicle failed to land successfully due to low pressure in the propellant header tanks cutting out the engines.