SpaceX pulls off Starship rocket launch in much-needed comeback | BBC News

SpaceX has pulled off a successful test flight of its newest generation rocket Starship, reversing a trend of disappointing failures.

The world's largest and most powerful rocket blasted off from Texas just after 18:30 local time (23:30 BST) for a nail-biting 60-minute flight.

Parts of the engine appeared to explode at one stage, and flaps on the side of the rocket caught fire and swung from side-to-side.

US space agency Nasa plans to use Starship to send humans to the Moon for its Artemis programme in 2027.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will be welcoming the success after three Starship launches ended in failure this year, and one rocket exploded on the launch pad in June.