Despite problems, SpaceX hails progress after third test of Starship rocket

SpaceX's mega rocket Starship cuts through clouds and haze on its third test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas [Eric Gay/The Associated Press]

The space travel company SpaceX has completed its most successful test yet of Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket — but as the unmanned rocket completed its flight, it was destroyed upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

Thursday’s test flight was the third conducted with Starship rockets, ahead of planned missions with the United States space agency NASA to send astronauts to the moon.