Closing summary
SpaceX successfully launched its sixth Starship test flight to space on Tuesday, but did not attempt the booster’s return to the launch site as was accomplished during a dramatic launch last month.
Donald Trump joined SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to watch the test launch from the control room in Brownsville, Texas, alongside with Senate members Bill Hagerty, Ted Cruz and Kevin Cramer.
After the rocket’s takeoff, it released its first-stage booster back to Earth. SpaceX waived the booster’s return to the launch site four minutes into the test flight, and opted instead for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. No reason was immediately given for the booster setback.
The Starship spacecraft splashed down successfully in the Indian Ocean, with video showing it exploding into a ball of fire as it hit the water. SpaceX will retrieve the stage for evaluation, but regardless of what it discovers, it will not consider its inability to capture the booster as a failure.
Updated
Starship splashes down in Indian Ocean
The Starship spacecraft has touched down in the Indian Ocean.
