Starship completes first test flight since SpaceX's public listing

SpaceX's Starship megarocket completed a test flight on Friday, the first since Elon Musk's company went public on Wall Street in June, according to reports from Deutsche Welle and France 24 — English.

The 122-metre-tall ship splashed down into the Indian Ocean, drawing cheers from employees watching at the company's Starbase in Texas. "Starship is intact, floating in the ocean and transmitting telemetry!" Musk said on X, as reported by both outlets.

This was the 13th test flight of the world's most powerful rocket and the second this year of the third-generation V3 model, Deutsche Welle reported.

Coverage comparison

Both Deutsche Welle and France 24 — English reported that Starship deployed 20 Starlink satellites into suborbital space. The satellites briefly contacted SpaceX's network of approximately 10,000 orbiting satellites before burning up as planned upon reentering Earth's atmosphere.

The flight duration was approximately one hour, according to France 24 — English.

France 24 — English provided additional details on the booster landing, reporting that it was harder than targeted and that not all 13 engines lit for the landing burn. The outlet also noted that a previous launch attempt was scrubbed due to an automatic stoppage after some engines failed to ignite and weather concerns.

Both sources reported that previous Starship tests had ended in flames, explosions at splashdown, or midair breakups — a claim carried by Deutsche Welle.

Key claims

  • Successful splashdown: Both outlets reported that Starship splashed down intact in the Indian Ocean, a first for the program. France 24 — English quoted spokesperson Dan Huot saying, "I'm losing my mind right now. This is the first time we've put an intact Starship in the water."
  • Satellite deployment: The rocket deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites. France 24 — English described these as a more powerful version with greater bandwidth and internet speeds. The satellites briefly connected to SpaceX's existing network of some 10,000 orbiting satellites before burning up as planned, both outlets reported.
  • Heat shield testing: The flight tested heat shield upgrades and redesigns, according to France 24 — English, which noted that the company had made "several modifications to hardware and software to address issues seen on the previous flight."
  • Booster landing: The booster's landing burn was harder than targeted, and not all 13 engines lit for the landing burn, France 24 — English reported, citing Huot.
  • Future ambitions: By the end of 2026, SpaceX aims to use Starship to expand its Starlink network with V3 satellites, targeting remote areas lacking traditional cellular coverage, Deutsche Welle reported. France 24 — English noted the company has "lofty ambitions for AI data centers in space" and holds a NASA contract to produce a modified version of Starship as a lunar landing system. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman commented, "It's pretty clear from this shot that SpaceX knows where we are going!" as reported by France 24 — English.

Perspectives

SpaceX: The company framed the test as a step toward expanding its Starlink constellation. In a statement reported by Deutsche Welle, SpaceX said the hourlong test "will provide critical data as we prepare to expand our Starlink constellation." Musk confirmed via X that Starship was intact, floating, and transmitting telemetry.

SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot: Huot expressed emotional reactions during the livestream, as reported by France 24 — English, calling it "a dream scenario for the team that's trying to get this heat shield data." He noted that the booster landing was harder than targeted but did not detract from the overall success.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman: Isaacman commented on the test's implications for lunar exploration, saying it was "pretty clear from this shot that SpaceX knows where we are going!" as reported by France 24 — English. SpaceX is under contract with NASA to produce a modified version of Starship as a lunar landing system.