SpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit for the first time
SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully reached Earth orbit for the first time despite losing one of its Raptor engines during the flight. The mission also included a successful simulated landing of the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Why it matters
Achieving orbit is a critical milestone for SpaceX's goal of full reusability, which is essential for future NASA moon missions and commercial satellite deployment.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket reached Earth orbit for the first time, though not without some drama along the way.
The company’s mega-rocket launched into space from South Texas early Monday morning and the take off ticked all the early checkboxes for a successful launch. But shortly after the upper stage of the spacecraft separated, it lost one of its six Raptor engines.
While Starship could still reach orbit without one engine, the company initially called off the attempt, only to decide to keep pushing just a few minutes later.
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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