Starship Flight 6 Achieves All Primary Objectives

Super Heavy booster successfully caught by launch tower, Starship completes controlled ocean landing in latest test flight.

SpaceX's sixth integrated flight test of Starship demonstrated remarkable progress toward full reusability. The Super Heavy booster separated at T+2:45 and returned to the launch site, where it was successfully caught by the 'Mechazilla' launch tower arms - only the second time this feat has been accomplished.

Meanwhile, the upper stage Starship continued to orbit, reaching an altitude of 212 kilometers during its suborbital trajectory. The spacecraft executed a controlled re-entry over the Indian Ocean, with all heat shield tiles performing as expected despite temperatures exceeding 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated, 'This brings us significantly closer to rapid reusability. Our goal is to catch and relaunch the same booster within 24 hours. Today's test proves the concept works.'

The flight also tested in-space engine relight - a critical capability for future orbital missions. One Raptor engine successfully reignited in the vacuum of space, demonstrating the technology needed for orbital insertion and deorbit burns.

Next tests will focus on orbital flights, satellite deployment, and eventually, in-orbit propellant transfer - a key technology for the planned Artemis lunar lander variant.