SpaceX conducts sixth Starship test flight with booster splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on Tuesday (19 Nov) from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

While the upper stage achieved its test objectives, the Super Heavy booster stage splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico after SpaceX opted against attempting a catch with its “chopstick” mechanical arms.

The decision to forego the catch was made four minutes into the flight, with the booster hitting the water three minutes later. SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot attributed the decision to unmet technical criteria but declined to specify further.

President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch alongside SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, further showcasing the growing relationship between the two influential figures.

Trump had previously praised SpaceX’s success in catching a booster during his election victory speech. However, Tuesday’s splashdown deprived him of witnessing the repeat demonstration of this engineering feat.

Quick turnaround and a new payload

Tuesday’s launch marked the shortest turnaround yet between Starship test flights, underscoring the rapid pace of SpaceX’s development efforts. The 121-meter-tall rocket, the most powerful ever built, aims to enable interplanetary travel and make humanity a multi-planetary species, according to Musk’s vision.

The flight was significant for several reasons. It was the first time Starship carried a payload – a stuffed banana – and introduced new heat shield materials. Key milestones included reigniting its Raptor engines in space and executing a partial orbit before splashing down in the Indian Ocean.

The booster’s splashdown also allowed SpaceX to gather data on water landings, a potential contingency for future missions.

Trump and Musk’s growing partnership

Trump’s attendance at the launch is the latest in a series of public appearances with Musk. Following Trump’s 5 November election victory, Musk has been a prominent ally, participating in meetings with foreign leaders and attending events such as UFC matches alongside the incoming president.

The partnership has raised questions over potential conflicts of interest, particularly as Musk’s SpaceX holds lucrative contracts with NASA and the Pentagon. Critics worry that Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration, including his appointment to co-lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), could enable regulatory decisions that benefit his companies.

Challenges and aspirations

Despite the missed catch, SpaceX remains focused on its ultimate goal of interplanetary travel. Musk has targeted the first uncrewed mission to Mars for 2026, coinciding with an ideal “Mars transfer window.” Starship is also integral to NASA’s Artemis program, with plans to ferry astronauts to the lunar surface later this decade.

The flight also provided a clearer view of Starship’s reentry process, occurring in daylight for better analysis. The data collected is expected to inform future improvements as SpaceX transitions to the next generation of Starship prototypes. Musk has teased that the upcoming Starship V3 will be three times more powerful than the current model and could debut within a year.

A controversial trajectory

Musk’s dual roles as a government appointee and corporate leader have sparked concerns about the potential for self-dealing, particularly in light of delays linked to environmental reviews that SpaceX has criticised. Nevertheless, the company continues to push forward, demonstrating a balance of audacity and innovation that defines its approach.