SpaceX has failed to successfully launch a rocket prototype for the second time.

The development of the company’s ‘Starship’ prototype is part of its plans to establish a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The launch, which took place on Tuesday, saw the rocket’s engines shut down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching around 10km in altitude.

The launch of Starship serial number 9 (SN9) was the company’s second high-altitude flight test of a prototype from its site in Cameron County, Texas.

SpaceX had previously launched its serial number 8 (SN8) prototype, which also crashed.

The company said that Starship will be “the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed”, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tonnes to Earth orbit.

According to the business, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, these test flights are about “improving [its] understanding and development of a fully reusable transportation system.”

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