
"There have been important steps forward, including the successful reuse of the rocket's massive Super Heavy booster. Clearly, SpaceX is getting really good at launching and recovering the 33-engine booster stage. But Starship itself, part spacecraft and part upper stage, hasn't fared as well-at least it hadn't until the last couple of months. After four Starships were destroyed in flight and on the ground in the first half of 2025, the last two missions ended with pinpoint splashdowns in the Indian Ocean."
"The most recent mission this week was arguably the most successful yet for Starship, which returned to Earth with little damage, suggesting SpaceX's improvements to the heat shield are working. As always, we welcome reader submissions. If you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site)."
"Hans Koenigsmann is one of SpaceX's earliest, longest-tenured, and most-revered employees. He worked at Elon Musk's space company for nearly two decades, rising to the role of vice president for mission assurance and safety before leaving SpaceX in 2021. He led the investigations into every Falcon rocket failure, mentored young engineers, and became a public face for SpaceX through numerous presentations and press conferences."
2025 has been a mixed year for Starship, with successful reuse of the Super Heavy booster but earlier losses of several Starships. Four Starships were destroyed in the first half of 2025, yet the last two missions ended with pinpoint splashdowns in the Indian Ocean. The most recent mission returned with little damage, suggesting heat-shield improvements are effective. SpaceX is becoming adept at launching and recovering the 33-engine Super Heavy booster. This week added satellites to Starlink, Kuiper, and US military mega-constellations. Hans Koenigsmann, a longtime SpaceX mission-assurance vice president who left in 2021, will fly on Blue Origin's New Shepard. Reports will continue to cover small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets and upcoming launches.
Read at Ars Technica
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