Starship in space! See highlights of SpaceX megarocket's epic Flight 13 test launch (video)

Key Points:

• SpaceX's 13th test flight of the Starship megarocket successfully launched Starship Version 3 (V3) from South Texas, deploying 20 next-gen Starlink satellites and achieving a soft splashdown off Western Australia without exploding—a first for Starship.
• The Super Heavy booster experienced engine issues during its return to Earth, but the Ship upper stage met all mission objectives, including reigniting a Raptor engine in space and completing a controlled descent.
• SpaceX shared real-time updates and stunning visuals from the flight, including footage of stage separation, the vehicle’s descent, and the splashdown captured by drones.
• Both Starship and Super Heavy are designed for full reusability, with plans to catch and refurbish the vehicles for rapid reflight; Super Heavy has been caught successfully three times, and SpaceX aims to catch Ship on Flight 14.
• Flight 13 marks the second launch of the operationally designed Version 3 Starship, following the program’s first test flight in April 2023.