SpaceX successfully launched its fifth test flight of the Starship rocket, making a dramatic catch of the rocket’s booster. The Super Heavy booster landed on the arms of the launch tower in a spectacular feat. The rocket continued on to space, with the goal of traveling halfway around the Earth before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a launch license sooner than expected.
SpaceX has flown the full Starship system on four spaceflight tests so far, with each test achieving more milestones than the last. The company aims to make the rocket fully reusable and use it for cargo and crewed missions beyond Earth. Starship is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis moon program and SpaceX has a multibillion-dollar contract with the agency.
The successful booster catch surpassed previous milestones and is part of SpaceX’s goal of making the rocket fully reusable. The rocket, powered by liquid oxygen and liquid methane, is the tallest and most powerful ever launched. The system requires over 10 million pounds of propellant for launch. SpaceX plans to fly hundreds of Starship missions before it is used for crewed missions. While the company has faced delays due to environmental assessments and fines, it remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
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