SpaceX launched its ninth Starship test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27. However, the mission faced problems in orbit after the rocket’s booster exploded just before it was expected to splash down. The blast caused fuel leaks that sent the rocket into an uncontrollable spin.
According to SpaceX, the flight team lost control of the vehicle’s altitude as it reentered Earth’s atmosphere. Back in March, a similar test flight ended in failure when another Starship rocket exploded shortly after liftoff, leading to a temporary grounding of launches and public alerts about falling debris.
Despite these setbacks, innovation in space exploration continues to accelerate. What once seemed like science fiction is quickly becoming reality. The 21st-century space race, driven by billionaire entrepreneurs, is pushing the boundaries of possibility as private companies compete to make commercial space travel accessible to the public.
Orbital hotels, luxury space cruises, and even day trips to the moon are already in development in this rapidly growing sector. Intrigued? In this gallery, discover a world where space travel is no longer a dream, but an emerging reality, opening a universe of extraordinary possibilities. Click through to see what the future of travel holds.