SpaceX Completes Sixth Starship Test Launch

SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket for the sixth time on Tuesday, but the planned catch of the Super Heavy booster was aborted due to unmet safety criteria. The booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, while Starship continued its trajectory, completing an hour-long flight towards the Indian Ocean. This test aimed to advance Starship's capabilities, including reigniting a Raptor engine in space and testing heatshield experiments for future reentries. Notably, the launch featured a humorous nod with a 'banana for scale' sticker on the rocket, appealing to space enthusiasts. Elon Musk’s vision for Starship is to create a fully reusable system for missions to the moon and Mars, highlighting its importance in NASA's Artemis program. The launch also attracted attention as President-elect Donald Trump attended, reflecting a growing relationship with Musk.