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Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026
Outside the box.
SpaceX's Sixth Starship Test Flight Launches with Donald Trump Present
Elon Musk's SpaceX Conducts Ambitious Rocket Test in Texas
On Tuesday, SpaceX successfully launched its sixth Starship test flight from its development site in Boca Chica, Texas, with US President-elect Donald Trump in attendance.
The roughly 400-foot-tall rocket, intended to transport astronauts to the moon and Mars, took off at 4 p.m. CT (2200 GMT).
The launch aims to implement and evaluate numerous improvements in the rocket's design.
During this test, the Super Heavy booster unexpectedly landed in the Gulf of Mexico, contrary to plans to return it to the launchpad, suggesting an anomaly.
In space, Starship completed a trip around Earth, targeting a daytime splashdown in the Indian Ocean approximately 90 minutes post-launch.
This mission follows a prior success where Starship demonstrated a novel catch-landing method, a critical step for its reusability.
Musk anticipated a 'faster/harder' catch-landing for this test, as shared on social media before the flight.
Trump's presence at the launch reflects a growing rapport with Musk, who could gain significant advantages from Trump's election win, impacting his companies' interactions with government regulations.
Musk, having supported Trump during his campaign, including a $119 million political contribution, has also been appointed to lead a government efficiency project focused on minimizing federal waste and regulatory burdens.
The launch received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within a month from the previous flight, marking a rapid regulatory response amidst evolving processes intended to accommodate the expanding US space industry.
Musk outlined key objectives for this test, including restarting Starship’s space engine mid-flight and achieving a visible ocean landing during the day.
SpaceX, under Musk's leadership, eyes rapid advancements in Starship development, anticipating substantial growth during a second Trump administration.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell recently suggested at the Baron Investment Conference that Starship flights could scale up dramatically in the coming years, potentially matching the frequency of their Falcon launches.
The roughly 400-foot-tall rocket, intended to transport astronauts to the moon and Mars, took off at 4 p.m. CT (2200 GMT).
The launch aims to implement and evaluate numerous improvements in the rocket's design.
During this test, the Super Heavy booster unexpectedly landed in the Gulf of Mexico, contrary to plans to return it to the launchpad, suggesting an anomaly.
In space, Starship completed a trip around Earth, targeting a daytime splashdown in the Indian Ocean approximately 90 minutes post-launch.
This mission follows a prior success where Starship demonstrated a novel catch-landing method, a critical step for its reusability.
Musk anticipated a 'faster/harder' catch-landing for this test, as shared on social media before the flight.
Trump's presence at the launch reflects a growing rapport with Musk, who could gain significant advantages from Trump's election win, impacting his companies' interactions with government regulations.
Musk, having supported Trump during his campaign, including a $119 million political contribution, has also been appointed to lead a government efficiency project focused on minimizing federal waste and regulatory burdens.
The launch received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within a month from the previous flight, marking a rapid regulatory response amidst evolving processes intended to accommodate the expanding US space industry.
Musk outlined key objectives for this test, including restarting Starship’s space engine mid-flight and achieving a visible ocean landing during the day.
SpaceX, under Musk's leadership, eyes rapid advancements in Starship development, anticipating substantial growth during a second Trump administration.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell recently suggested at the Baron Investment Conference that Starship flights could scale up dramatically in the coming years, potentially matching the frequency of their Falcon launches.
