SpaceX Conducts Starship Test Flight Following Delays
On July 24, SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket for the first test flight since its recent IPO. The launch from Starbase, Texas marked the 13th such attempt and included a successful controlled splashdown of the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf after two minutes into the flight. The mission also involved deploying 20 new Starlink V3 satellites, which were successfully launched but designed to burn up within about 20 minutes. These newer satellites are larger, more powerful, and equipped with solar arrays that generate twice as much power as previous models. The test is a key step for SpaceX's broader goals of expanding its satellite internet service and preparing Starship for future NASA missions. SpaceX plans to use the rocket in an upcoming NASA test flight aimed at returning U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface, with eventual ambitions extending to Mars exploration.
Tickers: $SPCX