SpaceX’s Starship rocket successfully completed its first full test flight on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the company. The massive rocket, standing nearly 400 feet tall, had previously experienced three failed flight demos resulting in explosions. However, this time, the rocket and spacecraft were able to land in a controlled manner, making it the longest and most successful flight to date.
Despite some damage to the rocket, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk celebrated the successful landing in the ocean, stating, “Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!” The spacecraft, which was empty during the test flight, reached an altitude of nearly 130 miles and traveled at speeds exceeding 16,000 mph before descending back to Earth.
This successful test flight is a crucial step in SpaceX’s goal of reusing the rocket for future missions to the moon and eventually Mars. The company has plans to use the Starship for lunar missions in collaboration with NASA, as well as for commercial space tourism.
SpaceX has been working on improving the Starship’s technology and software to prevent future explosions. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the latest test flight, confirming that all safety requirements were met.
SpaceX’s ultimate vision for the Starship includes launching missions to Mars to establish a human settlement on the red planet. The successful test flight brings the company one step closer to realizing this ambitious goal.
By Marcia Dunn
