Starship Completes Sixth Flight Test, Marks Progress Toward Full Reusability

SpaceX conducted the sixth flight test of its Starship system today, achieving significant milestones as it works toward fully reusable space transportation.

The test, which launched from Starbase, sought to expand the operational envelope of both the Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft, while gathering critical data to refine the system for future missions.

Liftoff

The Super Heavy booster, powered by 33 Raptor engines, lifted off at the opening of the launch window at 4:00pm CST; demonstrating a successful ignition and ascent sequence.

Following a nominal climb to altitude, the booster separated from the Starship spacecraft and initiated a boostback burn to return toward Starbase.

Super Heavy Booster Catch Abort

During its descent, an automated health check on the launch and catch tower identified potential concerns, triggering an abort of the planned catch attempt.

Instead, the booster executed a pre-planned divert maneuver, transitioning to a controlled landing burn and performing a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

This maneuver demonstrated the system’s ability to adapt dynamically to real-time conditions.

Starship’s Mission and Reentry

Meanwhile, Starship continued its journey, achieving milestones essential for future orbital missions. After separation, the spacecraft completed a successful ascent to its planned trajectory.

A single Raptor engine was reignited in space, simulating the ship deorbit burn required for orbital missions. This demonstrated the spacecraft’s capability to operate its propulsion system in the vacuum of space, a critical step for achieving controlled reentries from orbit.

Starship’s telemetry and live video, streamed via SpaceX’s Starlink network, captured the spacecraft’s atmospheric reentry and landing sequence. The vehicle performed a controlled flip maneuver, followed by a landing burn, culminating in a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

These events validated design improvements to the thermal protection system and aerodynamic controls.

Advancing Toward Reusability

The flight test included multiple experiments with Starship’s thermal protection system, which endured high-temperature stresses during reentry. The spacecraft also tested new flight dynamics, including subsonic maneuvering at a steeper angle of attack. These data points will inform refinements to ensure Starship’s eventual safe return and catch on future missions.\

“With data and flight learnings as our primary payload, Starship’s sixth flight test once again delivered. Lessons learned will directly make the entire Starship system more reliable as we close in on full and rapid reusability.” - SpaceX Statement

Building Toward the Future

The successful demonstrations of critical systems during this flight represent significant progress toward SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. By iterating on each test flight, the company is steadily advancing toward regular operational flights of the Starship system.

Elon Musk took to X shortly after the splashdown of Starship S31, celebrating the successful mission and giving a hint at what is to expect in the coming missions.

"Successful ocean landing of Starship! We will do one more ocean landing of the ship. If that goes well, then SpaceX will attempt to catch the ship with the tower." - Elon Musk on X

While full reuse of both the booster and Starship remains a key milestone, the data from today’s flight will help refine hardware, software, and operational strategies. As SpaceX continues testing, each mission brings the dream of interplanetary travel closer to reality.