SpaceX conducted a test flight of its most powerful Starship yet, an upgraded version intended to support NASA’s moon landing plans under Artemis. The rocket lifted off from Starbase near the Mexican border in southern Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released during the hourlong flight. The spacecraft reached its target in the Indian Ocean despite engine trouble, then ignited after impact. SpaceX expected the final fire. The launch and landing were described as successful, with the booster attempting a controlled return while not all engines fired. The spacecraft used fewer engines but continued its eastward trajectory. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended, and the flight marked the 12th Starship test toward future crewed missions to Mars.
"SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon. The redesigned mega rocket made its debut two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he's taking the company public. It blasted off from the southern tip of Texas, carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites that were released midway through the hourlong spaceflight that stretched halfway around the world."
"The spacecraft reached its final destination the Indian Ocean despite some engine trouble, before erupting in flames upon impact. That last part was not unexpected, according to SpaceX. Musk called it "an epic" launch and landing. "You scored a goal for humanity," he told his team via X. It's the 12th test flight of the rocket that Musk is building to get people to Mars one day."
"While the liftoff itself went well, not all of the engines fired as the booster attempted a controlled return. The spacecraft also had to make do with fewer engines, but kept heading eastward 120 miles (194 kilometers) up. A pair of modified, camera-equipped Starlinks ejected from Starship provided brief views of the spacecraft in f"
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