This comes after the upper stage faced challenges during the re-entry – the separation from the booster was followed by the Starship utilizing its improved heat-shielding tiles to protect against the extreme temperatures generated during re-entry. The vehicle eventually successfully landed in the Indian Ocean, but managed to tip over and explode upon hitting the water. It is unknown whether the explosion was a controlled detonation or not, but Musk said the ship landed “precisely on target!”