SpaceX Starship achieves first intact ocean landing in 13th test flight

SpaceX's Starship rocket has achieved a significant milestone, successfully completing its 13th test flight with an intact splashdown in the Indian Ocean for the first time.

Developers described the outcome as a "dream scenario." The rocket launched from SpaceX's Starbase in Texas, flew unmanned through space, and its upper stage was intentionally brought down into the ocean about an hour later. The lower booster stage had already fallen into the sea shortly after liftoff, as planned.

During the mission, the rocket deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites, a more powerful version designed for greater bandwidth and faster internet speeds. These satellites briefly connected to SpaceX's existing network of approximately 10,000 satellites before burning up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, as intended.

This latest test flight, using the completely redesigned Starship version 3, is critical for SpaceX's future plans. These include expanding its Starlink internet service, landing astronauts on the Moon for NASA by 2028, and ultimately reaching Mars. Previous tests have faced challenges, including explosions and flights falling short of expectations, making this successful controlled landing a major advancement.

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This is the first time we have had an intact Starship rocket in the water. That is a dream scenario.