SpaceX Launches Starship on Sixth Test Flight

On November 19, SpaceX successfully launched its sixth Starship test flight from Boca Chica, Texas, with President-elect Donald Trump in attendance. The Super Heavy booster, which was supposed to land back at the launch site, diverted and landed in the Gulf of Mexico, tipping over and exploding shortly after. Despite this setback, the Starship upper stage, known as Ship 31, reached a suborbital trajectory and performed tests on its Raptor engines during flight. The launch was seen as a significant step for SpaceX's development of the world's most powerful rocket system designed for lunar and Mars missions. Trump's presence highlights his close ties with Elon Musk, who has been appointed as a co-leader of a new government efficiency department, signaling potential favorable treatment for SpaceX. The flight aimed to evaluate several safety and performance upgrades while intentionally pushing the vehicle's limits, including a modified reentry profile.