The advertised metric for success was that it needed to not blow up the launch tower: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/04/19/elon-musks-success-criteria-for-sta

The advertised metric for success was that it needed to not blow up the launch tower: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/04/19/elon-musks-success-criteria-for-starship-test-flight-dont-blow-up-the-launch-pad/ https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/04/19/elon-musks-success-cri... > Also, there were several apparent engine failures It's pretty clear they were expecting this, as the status graphic had the capability to show on telemetry which of the engines had flamed out in real time.