SpaceX completed the 12th test flight of its large Starship rocket system on Friday. The spacecraft achieved a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean following a demanding mission that involved several technical problems. The launch occurred shortly after 5:30 pm local time. Engineers tested the newest third-generation version of Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket currently in operation. Company staff marked the end of the flight with celebrations during the live broadcast. Video showed the vehicle surrounded by fire and smoke as it settled into the water. SpaceX later confirmed the splashdown on social media and congratulated its team. Recovery of the booster or upper stage was not planned. The spacecraft carried out a complex flip and engine restart in space for re-entry despite one engine issue. It also released 22 test satellites, two of which were meant to photograph the heat shield. The vehicle missed its planned orbit after an early engine failure, though the path stayed within expected limits. The booster did not finish its return burn and fell into the Gulf of Mexico. An earlier launch attempt the day before had been halted by a hydraulic problem that was later resolved. The current Starship design stands over 407 feet tall when assembled. The test occurred as the company prepares for a possible public offering later this year. Starship is also central to NASA’s Artemis program for future lunar landings, with a target of returning astronauts to the Moon before 2028. NASA’s administrator attended the event. Experts continue to question whether the timelines for crewed lunar missions can be met given ongoing technical hurdles.
