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SpaceX beats the odds, recovers Starship spacecraft from Indian Ocean
USA Today • • world
Key Points:
- After 24 days at sea, SpaceX successfully towed the 171-foot-tall upper stage of its Starship rocket to shore near Christmas Island, Australia, overcoming initial doubts due to rough seas.
- The recovered upper stage, designated Ship 40, landed intact in the Indian Ocean following the July 24 flight test from Texas, marking the first time an upper stage has survived a Starship test flight.
- SpaceX plans to return Ship 40 to its Texas headquarters for analysis to improve future Starship designs, although prolonged saltwater exposure likely renders it unfit for another flight.
- The Starship program aims to develop a massive rocket for interplanetary missions, including human expeditions to Mars and lunar landings under NASA's Artemis program.
- The recovery mission attracted public attention, with wildlife photographer Chris Bray capturing striking drone images of the giant rocket section being hauled ashore.
