Starship launch - live: SpaceX launches and lands world’s biggest rocket in crucial test of Mars ambitions
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SpaceX has successfully launched its massive Starship rocket, in what was a critical test of Elon Musk’s hopes of colonising Mars.
The 120-metre rocket is the biggest and most powerful spacecraft ever built, capable of producing 7.5 million kilograms of thrust – roughly double that of Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS).
The fourth major flight test saw both parts of the rocket return to Earth for the first ime, with the Super Heavy booster splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico and the main Starship making it all the way to the Indian Ocean.
It came less than three months after SpaceX launched a Starship prototype into orbit but failed to return it to Earth.
SpaceX said that “data was the payload” for today’s mission, hailing it as a success despite not being able to recover the rocket. Elon Musk described it as an “epic achievement.
”You can watch a live stream of the Starship launch below.
SpaceX toast Starship success with marshmallows
The SpaceX team are now toasting the latest Starship test by toasting some marshmallows on a custom Starship flame torch.
And that brings the live stream to a close, but we’ll still have more analysis to come and reactions to come.
Elon Musk hails ‘epic achievement’
SpaceX boss Elon Musk has hailed his team’s “epic achievement” in bringing both the Starship rocket and its Super Heavy booster back to Earth for the first time today.
“Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean,” the billionaire wrote on X.
Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 6, 2024
Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic achievement!! https://t.co/UnXbnmZ2pE
Watch Starship successfully land without exploding for the first time
It’s a momentous day for SpaceX, and for its Starship rocket.
Here’s the moment it returns to Earth from orbit for the first ever time:
Countdown begins for next Starship launch
As the dust and water drops settle after today’s successful re-entry and splash down, SpaceX is already looking forward to Starship test flight 5. The rocket is already built and has conducted several key tests in the build-up to the next launch, which could place within weeks.
SpaceX is yet to confirm a date for the next flight attempt, nor what its objectives will be, though we will likely see an effort to recoer at least one stage of the rocket.
We’ll be bringing all the latest news and updates on the next Starship launch over the coming days and weeks. Until then, you can read all about today’s flight test here:
SpaceX launches and lands the most powerful rocket ever made
‘Congratulations SpaceX team on an epic achievement,’ billionaire wrote on Twitter
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