SpaceX conducted its sixth test flight of the Starship rocket yesterday, successfully completing another flight in the company’s efforts to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. The launch came on time at 4:00 p.m. CST from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas after a flawless countdown.
The launch was attended by President-elect Donald Trump, emphasizing the growing relationship between the incoming administration and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Trump has tapped Musk to serve in his administration’s new “Department of Government Efficiency,” aimed at reducing waste in government spending. In a statement prior to the launch, Trump conveyed his support, stating, “Good luck to Elon Musk and the Great Patriots involved in this incredible project.”
Tuesday’s Flight
The Starship vehicle, comprising the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage, is the most powerful rocket ever built, with a payload capacity exceeding 100 tons. The primary objectives of this test flight included demonstrating the vehicle’s ability to perform a near-complete orbit of Earth, testing the in-space re-ignition of the Raptor engine for the first time, and evaluating the thermal protection system during reentry.
The flight was also intended as a “stress test” of sorts, in an effort to push the rocket up to, and possibly beyond it’s design limits. The testing included the removal of heat shield tiles on some parts of the ship, as well as a steeper decent profile, which increased aerodynamic pressures on the returning ship significantly over previous flights.
After a successful return to the launch pad by the super heavy booster on the previous test flight, engineers had hoped to again replicate that feat. However, approximately four minutes into the flight, SpaceX decided to forgo the planned attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster with the “Mechazilla” mechanical arms on the launch tower. Instead, the booster was directed to perform a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Space X has not yet specified the reason for the aborted booster landing. The company made it clear prior to the launch that they would not attempt the return to pad unless everything went perfectly. Some observers pointed to a broken communications antenna on the launch tower as a likely reason for the aborted landing attempt.
The Starship upper stage continued its flight, completing a near-orbital trajectory before executing a controlled descent and splashdown in the Indian Ocean. After successfully reigniting one of the upper stage’s Raptor engines while in orbit, the upper stage completed its enhanced flight profile and made a seemingly perfect soft splashdown under power in the Indian Ocean.
The Future Of Starship
SpaceX’s Starship is central to NASA’s Artemis program, which plans to return humans to the Moon by 2026. The agency has contracted SpaceX to develop a version of Starship capable of landing astronauts on the lunar surface. The success of these test flights is crucial for meeting NASA’s timelines and objectives. Recently, concerns about the viability and cost-effectiveness of NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) have suggested the scrapping of that launch vehicle altogether. If that were to happen, Starship could take its place in the Artemis program much sooner than envisioned.
No FAA Investigation Required
An FAA spokesperson told FMN’s Charles Boyer that no safety investigation will be required following Tuesday’s flight. In their reply, the FAA said “All flight events for both the Starship vehicle and the Super Heavy booster occurred within the scope of planned and authorized activities.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously granted approval for this test flight, reflecting an evolving regulatory environment that seeks to balance safety with the rapid development pace of private space companies. The FAA’s expedited approval process for this launch indicates a willingness to support the growth of the U.S. space industry.
SpaceX’s aggressive testing schedule and iterative design philosophy have positioned it as a leader in the commercial space sector. The company’s ability to conduct frequent test flights and implement rapid design changes has accelerated the development of Starship. This approach contrasts with traditional aerospace programs, which often involve longer development cycles.
As SpaceX continues to rapidly refine Starship’s capabilities, the potential for a new era of space exploration becomes increasingly tangible.
