SpaceX launches Starship on another test flight, this time with the most advanced Starlinks
SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket on a test flight to deploy advanced Starlink satellites and test the spacecraft's heat shield durability. The mission serves as a critical step toward the company's goal of achieving full reusability and supporting NASA's upcoming Artemis lunar missions.
Why it matters
The success of the Starship program is essential for NASA's lunar exploration goals and SpaceX's long-term vision of establishing a human presence on Mars.
Towering 407 feet (124 metres), Starship soared from the company's base at the southern tip of Texas. NASA monitored the flight, a critical step toward using the Starship as a lunar lander for moon crews.
Elon Musk's SpaceX replaced six of the 33 engines on the first-stage booster after they failed to ignite last week, resulting in a last-second launch abort. The previous Starship flight in May also experienced engine trouble, which prevented the booster from making a controlled return.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in