SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight

SpaceX successfully completed its 13th Starship test flight, resulting in an intact splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The company is now preparing to attempt a launch tower catch for the next mission.
Why it matters
The successful recovery of the Starship vehicle is a critical milestone for SpaceX's goal of creating a fully reusable heavy-lift launch system for deep space exploration.
Dream scenario SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight SpaceX will likely attempt to catch Starship back at the launch pad on its next flight.
16 A drone view of SpaceX's Starship vehicle floating in the Indian Ocean after splashdown on Flight 13. The flame visible in this image dissipated after a few seconds. Credit: SpaceX A drone view of SpaceX's Starship vehicle floating in the Indian Ocean after splashdown on Flight 13. The flame visible in this image dissipated after a few seconds. Credit: SpaceX Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav SpaceX was more than lucky Friday, sending its 13th full-scale Starship test flight halfway around the world from South Texas to an on-target, intact splashdown in a remote section of the Indian Ocean.
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