SpaceX has launched its large Starship into orbit for the first time, aiming for six laps around Earth to prove its readiness for NASA's Artemis moon program.
The spacecraft almost didn't achieve the long-desired goal in its Monday launch, after one of its engines shut down too soon.
Founder Elon Musk's showpiece rocket carried 26 of the latest and most advanced Starlink satellites to join the 11,000 older models already providing internet service.
NASA's Artemis IV mission, slated for no sooner than 2028, would have astronauts landing on the moon in either Jeff Bezos' Blue Moon or Mr Musk's Starship, whichever is ready first.
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SpaceX has launched its large Starship into orbit for the first time, aiming for six laps around Earth to prove its readiness for NASA's Artemis moon program.
If all goes well with this orbital debut, the next Starship will return to the launch pad with giant mechanical arms grabbing the hovering spacecraft.
The spacecraft almost didn't achieve the long-desired goal in its Monday launch, after one of its engines shut down too soon.
"Starship is orbital," Mission Control announced to cheers.
Founder Elon Musk's showpiece rocket carried 26 of the latest and most advanced Starlink satellites to join the 11,000 older models already providing internet service.
For now, he plans to focus on the moon and use Starship to haul satellites into orbit by the truckload — phasing out the company's frailer Falcon 9 rocket within several years.
NASA's Artemis IV mission, slated for no sooner than 2028, would have astronauts landing on the moon in either Jeff Bezos' Blue Moon or Mr Musk's Starship, whichever is ready first.
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ABC NewsSpaceX's Starship rocket reaches orbit for first time after engine failureplain
WAtodaySpaceX’s Starship flight cut short after launching into orbit for first timeplain
TechCrunchSpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit for the first timeplain
The West AustralianSpaceX's Starship reaches orbit despite engine issueplain
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