The 10th test mission of the SpaceX Starship spacecraft finally succeeded in fulfilling the mission requirements after three missions launched this year ended in explosions. In the launch carried out at 7.30 am today, Starship carried a cargo of eight Starlink mock satellites using a Super Heavy rocket.
The launch of this 10th test mission has been postponed twice due to unsuitable weather and technical issues before launch. This time, Starship successfully launched into orbit while the Super Heavy then landed back on Earth on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. Starship continued the mission and launched eight Starlink mock satellites into orbit around 45 after launch.
Among the missions that Starship will carry out when it is operational is to launch up to 60 Starlink satellites for internet service needs. The Falcon 9 rocket currently used can only carry up to 29 satellites per launch.
It then traveled back to Earth, eventually making a controlled landing on the surface of the Indian Ocean about 67 minutes after launch from Starbase, Texas. While the mission was successful, there were still issues with the Starship's thermal tiles and components breaking off during reentry.