SpaceX launches Starship on another test flight, this time with the most advanced Starlinks
SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket from Texas, carrying advanced Starlink satellites to test new communication and heat shield technologies. The mission serves as a critical step toward future lunar landings, despite the rocket being intentionally ditched into the ocean.
Why it matters
Advancements in Starship are essential for NASA's lunar exploration goals and the expansion of global satellite internet infrastructure.
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.
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