SpaceX's Super Heavy-Starship blasts off on 13th test flight, booster makes hard splashdown

SpaceX's latest Super Heavy-Starship rocket soared into the sky Friday for its 13th test flight, marking another step in the development of the company's ambitious launch system. The massive 397-foot rocket lifted off from the Starbase facility in Texas at 5:51 p.m. ET, propelled by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines generating approximately 16 million pounds of thrust.

Following stage separation, the Super Heavy booster executed a descent toward the Gulf of Mexico. While it performed its planned tail-first orientation for splashdown, fewer engines restarted than anticipated, resulting in a "hard" landing at a higher velocity than intended. SpaceX is currently opting for splashdowns in the Gulf as a safety measure for these early flights of the third-generation rocket, with the ultimate goal of recovering the booster mid-air using specialized arms.

The Starship upper stage, however, continued its journey successfully. All six of its Raptor engines operated as expected, propelling the vehicle into its sub-orbital trajectory. In a key demonstration, the Starship deployed 20 third-generation Starlink internet satellites, utilizing its payload dispenser. Six of these satellites were equipped with cameras to provide visual data on the rocket's condition, aiding engineers in assessing future Starship health before re-entry. The mission also included a final test of the Starship's ability to briefly re-ignite an engine while in space.