NASA officially adds SpaceX's giant Starship megarocket to its launch roster

A giant silver Starship rocket is stacked atop its giant booster atop a seaside launch pad for SpaceX's Flight 5. silver SpaceX Starship rocket as it is hoisted atop its booster.

SpaceX's Starship megarocket, the world's most powerful rocket, is officially on NASA's list for future launches.

NASA on Monday (March 31) announced that it has awarded SpaceX a launch services contract for Starship that adds the giant rocket to the private company's roster, which already includes the reusable Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy boosters. The deal, called a NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) contract, allows SpaceX to pursue NASA launches on Starship rockets.