SpaceX has successfully launched its Starship rocket on its tenth test flight, marking a significant step forward for the company’s plans for reusable spaceflight.
The launch took place on 26 August from Starbase, SpaceX’s facility in South Texas. The mission included a successful hot-staging separation, the release of eight Starlink satellite simulators, and a controlled splashdown of Ship 37 in the Indian Ocean.
Previous Starship test flights have faced setbacks, including failed separations and unplanned explosions. This latest success is seen as proof of progress in the development of what SpaceX calls the world’s most powerful rocket.
The achievement strengthens CEO Elon Musk’s vision of fully reusable rockets designed for missions to Mars, as well as supporting NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon.
The test has drawn global attention, with space enthusiasts and industry leaders highlighting the breakthrough as a key moment for the future of space exploration.