Starship Completes 10th Test Flight, Successfully Deploys Simulated Satellites and Orbits Halfway Around Earth | WPN World People News

After several delays, SpaceX’s Starship mega-rocket successfully carried out its 10th test flight mission on the evening of August 26 (U.S. Eastern Time, 7:30 p.m.; Taiwan Time, August 27, 7:30 a.m.). The launch successfully reached space and deployed eight simulated Starlink satellites.

The 10th test flight was originally scheduled for August 24 but was called off due to a fuel leak at the launch pad. It was then postponed again on August 25 because of unfavorable weather. Although three launches earlier this year ended in explosions, this mission not only entered space smoothly but also carried out an orbital flight around Earth.

Standing 123 meters tall, Starship lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas on the evening of August 26. The upper stage of Starship was tasked with deploying the Starlink satellites and completing a half-orbit around Earth before splashing down off the coast of Australia. The lower stage, the Super Heavy booster, was intentionally directed to crash into the Gulf of Mexico for data collection purposes, instead of attempting a catch by the giant “chopstick” arms on the launch tower.

NASA hopes that an improved version of Starship can serve as the lunar lander for the Artemis program in 2027, helping the U.S. return astronauts to the Moon and outpace China in the new space race. To realize the long-term goal of sending humans to Mars, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has made Starship his highest priority.