Starship
13 reportsThe practical and scientific questions around Starship span stage and propulsion design; payload capability; and launch operations. The security of claims about stage and propulsion design is judged through mission results and independent reliability statistics; the comparison must account for the fact that planned performance and advertised capacity do not replace demonstrated flights.
SpaceX to Retire Falcon 9 as Starship Nears Operational Status
SpaceX has announced plans to phase out its Falcon 9 rocket once the Starship launch system achieves reliable, frequent operations. The transition could reshape commercial launch access and mission planning for years ahead
Private Chinese Rocket Zhuque-3 Achieves First Landed Booster Recovery
LandSpace's Zhuque-3 rocket has become the first privately built Chinese orbital-class launcher to successfully land its first stage, marking a significant step for reusable launch technology in China
SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Recovered Intact After Indian Ocean Splashdown
SpaceX's Starship Ship 40, which completed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean after its July test flight, has been successfully towed to calmer waters near Christmas Island for engineering analysis
Cards Against Humanity Plans Monument Near SpaceX Starbase After Dispute
A legal dispute over land use near SpaceX's Starbase in Texas has led Cards Against Humanity to propose a public monument targeting Elon Musk, highlighting ongoing tensions between commercial space operations and local landowners
SpaceX Outlines Plan for Robotic Factories on the Moon
SpaceX has detailed its intention to construct automated factories on the lunar surface, aiming to use robots for manufacturing satellites and key components, as discussed during the company's first quarterly earnings call as a public company
Starship Captured on Video by a Starlink V3 Satellite
A camera-equipped Starlink V3 satellite recorded SpaceX's Starship upper stage after Flight 13, offering an unusual view of the vehicle's engines, thrusters and separation in space
FAA Proposes Easing Environmental Rules for Commercial Space Launches
A new FAA proposal aims to accelerate commercial rocket launches and spacecraft reentries by waiving certain environmental regulations, raising questions about the balance between mission demand and environmental oversight
SpaceX Starship Remains Afloat in Indian Ocean After Test Splashdown
SpaceX's Starship Version 3 upper stage was photographed floating intact in the Indian Ocean five days after its July 24 flight test, offering a rare look at the vehicle's post-splashdown condition and raising questions about rapid reusability
Artemis IV Landing Debate: South Pole or Lunar Equator for Crew Safety
NASA's Artemis IV mission faces a critical decision: whether to target the moon's challenging south pole or opt for a safer equatorial landing, as astronaut Victor Glover urges a reassessment of mission priorities and safety constraints
NASA to Equip Artemis III Orion with Starlink Laser Terminals
NASA will install SpaceX Starlink laser communication terminals on the Artemis III Orion spacecraft, aiming to boost high-definition video and data transmission capabilities during the mission scheduled for 2027
Artemis III to Test NASA's Most Complex Multi-Spacecraft Mission Yet
NASA's Artemis III mission will attempt a coordinated two-week operation involving four astronauts and three independently launched spacecraft, aiming to validate critical lunar landing technologies in low Earth orbit
SpaceX Starship Test Aborted as Defense and Science Missions Advance
SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 test launch was halted seconds before liftoff, highlighting ongoing technical challenges as the company expands its role in US military and scientific space operations
SpaceX Starship Flight 13 to Test Starlink V3 Deployment
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, Texas, aiming to deploy 20 Starlink Version 3 satellites and test upgraded booster recovery systems in a mission scheduled for July 16