SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket successfully completed its latest test flight travelling halfway around the world and deploying 20 advanced Starlink satellites.
The 124-metre rocket launched from Texas yesterday after a previous delay caused by engine problems. The new Starlinks successfully connected with existing satellites using laser links.
NASA is closely watching Starship’s progress because it plans to use the spacecraft as a lunar lander for future Artemis moon missions.
The flight was the 13th Starship test and the second launch of the newer V3 version. The mission was delayed earlier due to a launch abort and bad weather from Tropical Storm Bertha.