The massive rocket from SpaceX successfully launched for another testing journey on Thursday. It achieved more progress compared to its two previous attempts, but unfortunately, the vessel was unable to safely return to Earth.

The company announced that they lost communication with the spacecraft while it was approaching its target, a landing in the Indian Ocean. This occurred approximately one hour after it was launched from the southernmost point of Texas, close to the border of Mexico.

Last year, there were two separate test flights that both resulted in explosions just moments after taking off.

On Thursday, following its launch, Starship, the largest and strongest rocket ever constructed, traveled over the Gulf of Mexico. Shortly after, the booster smoothly detached from the spaceship and descended into the gulf, while the spacecraft continued to move towards the east. There were no individuals or satellites present on board.

One hour later, SpaceX announcers reported that communication with the spacecraft was no longer possible.

“The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today,” said SpaceX’s Dan Huot. “But again, it’s incredible to see how much further we got this time around.”

On the flight, SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk previously praised his team. “SpaceX has made tremendous progress,” Musk stated on Instagram, the former Twitter platform. The company’s origins date back exactly 22 years ago, specifically on Thursday.

The spacecraft, with its futuristic appearance, stands at a height of 397 feet (121 meters), surpassing all of NASA’s previous and current moon rockets.

NASA closely monitored the progress: It is crucial for the space agency that Starship is successful in order to successfully send astronauts to the moon within the next two years. This fresh generation of astronauts, the first since the Apollo program of the last century, will land on the moon using the Starship on at least the initial occasions.