It launched into orbit and deployed eight dummy satellites before splashing down as planned in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n
The aim was to test the 403ft-tall ship’s new heat shield tiles and satellite deployment abilities, among hundreds of other upgrades from past iterations.<\/p>\n
Three minutes into the flight and dozens of miles above ground, the rocket’s upper half separated as planned from its Super Heavy booster – the 232ft first stage that normally lands back in its launch tower’s giant catch-arms.<\/p>\n
![\"SpaceX](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/skynews-spacex-starship-space_7002369.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Image:
\n SpaceX Super Heavy booster carrying the Starship spacecraft. Pic: Reuters<\/p>\n
But this time the booster, which SpaceX<\/a> said had been fitted with larger and stronger fins for greater stability, targeted the Gulf of Mexico waters to demonstrate an alternate landing strategy.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Starship was launched into space, and deployed its eight dummy Starlink satellites, a key demonstration for a rocket that represents the future of SpaceX’s dominant launch business.<\/p>\n An hour into the mission, Starship re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, putting a variety of hexagonal heat shield tiles to the test as it blazed at supersonic speed.<\/p>\n More science and tech news: Spacecraft that return to Earth have historically required new heat shields or repairs after each mission due to damage that occurs from high-speed atmospheric friction.<\/p>\n But SpaceX has been trying to create an exterior shield that requires little to no refurbishment after each use.<\/p>\n The crewless demo launch came after back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after lift-off<\/a>, raining wreckage into the ocean, before the most recent test<\/a> in May ended when the spacecraft tumbling out of control and breaking apart.<\/p>\n 0:56<\/p>\n Rocket spins out of control during May test flight<\/p>\n
Warning of six million new cancer cases<\/a>
Scientists hail treatment for babies with rare condition<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/skynews-spacex-starship_6929272.jpg\")
<\/p>\n