SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight launched successfully on Friday evening from Texas, achieving most of its objectives despite a rough landing for the Super Heavy booster. The mission is significant because it tested several reusability technologies that SpaceX needs to make Starship a viable, rapidly turnaround-able launch system, including heatshield performance data and manoeuvres designed to mimic future landings at its Starbase facility.

The flight lasted one hour, five minutes and 21 seconds before Starship splashed down in the Indian Ocean, while the Super Heavy booster suffered a hard landing in the Gulf after only some of its engines successfully relit. During the flight, Starship deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites, six of which observed the heatshield's performance, before all were deliberately allowed to burn up on re-entry since they weren't intended to join the operational constellation. The craft also successfully restarted a Raptor engine while coasting in space, a capability needed for future missions reaching sustainable orbit or lunar trajectories under NASA's Artemis programme; Elon Musk said the next test flight will aim to have the Super Heavy booster caught by robotic arms at Starbase.