SpaceX launched its largest and most powerful Starship rocket yet on Friday in a major test flight, showcasing an upgraded spacecraft that NASA hopes will eventually carry astronauts to the moon.
The newly redesigned rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in southern Texas just two days after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to take the company public. During the nearly hourlong mission, Starship deployed 20 mock Starlink satellites before continuing its journey halfway around the globe.
Despite experiencing some engine issues, the spacecraft successfully reached its planned splashdown point in the Indian Ocean. It later burst into flames upon impact, a result SpaceX said was expected.
Musk praised the mission as an “epic” achievement and congratulated the SpaceX team, saying they had made a major contribution to humanity’s future in space exploration.
The flight marked Starship’s 12th test mission as SpaceX continues developing the giant rocket for future crewed missions to Mars. Before that goal, however, the spacecraft is expected to play a key role in NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning astronauts to the moon.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended the launch and said the mission moved Starship another step closer to supporting lunar exploration.
The latest Starship model, known as V3, launched from a newly built pad near the Mexican border after technical issues delayed an earlier attempt Thursday evening.
SpaceX hoped the flight would avoid the dramatic failures of previous launches, when explosions scattered debris over the Atlantic Ocean. This time, the mission remained stable until the final moments, when the spacecraft descended upright into the Indian Ocean before tipping over and igniting.
Although the launch itself was successful, some booster engines failed during the planned return sequence. The spacecraft also continued flying with fewer operating engines but still climbed to about 120 miles (194 kilometers) above Earth. In another first, modified Starlink satellites equipped with cameras transmitted brief views from space after separating from the spacecraft.
Standing 407 feet (124 meters) tall, the upgraded Starship is larger and more powerful than earlier versions. The booster features redesigned steering fins, stronger fuel systems, and enhanced technology, while the spacecraft includes additional cameras, improved computing systems, and docking equipment designed for future moon missions.
SpaceX ultimately did not attempt to recover either stage of the rocket during this test. The booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico, while the spacecraft ended its journey in the Indian Ocean.
NASA has awarded billions of dollars to both SpaceX and Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, to develop lunar landers for upcoming Artemis missions. Both companies are competing to be the first to provide a functioning moon lander.
While Starship has already completed several short spaceflights, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander has yet to launch, though a prototype mission is expected later this year.
NASA plans to continue its Artemis program with a docking demonstration mission in Earth orbit next year, during which astronauts will practice linking the Orion capsule with Starship, Blue Moon, or both systems.
The first crewed moon landing under Artemis could happen as early as 2028 using whichever lander proves ready and reliable first. It would mark NASA’s first astronaut landing on the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, with long-term plans focused on building a lunar base near the moon’s south pole.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has already begun accepting reservations for private missions to the moon and Mars aboard Starship.
Among the future passengers are businessman Dennis Tito, the world’s first space tourist, and cryptocurrency investor Chun Wang, who recently announced plans to join Starship’s first interplanetary mission to Mars. No timeline or ticket price for the Mars journey has been disclosed