Ankara: SpaceX's Starship rocket, intended to serve as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond, accomplished its 10th test flight with controlled splashdowns of both its booster and upper stage, according to a company statement.

According to Anadolu Agency, Starship's tenth flight test launched on August 26, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CT from Starbase, Texas, marking significant progress in developing the world's first fully reusable launch vehicle. SpaceX reported that all major objectives were achieved, providing crucial data for refining the designs of the next-generation Starship and Super Heavy.

The flight commenced with Super Heavy's successful liftoff, igniting all 33 Raptor engines and ascending over the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico). Following the ascent, a hot-staging maneuver was executed, with Starship's upper stage igniting its six Raptor engines to detach from Super Heavy and continue the flight to space.

SpaceX further explained that the booster deliberately transitioned between engines during its final descent to evaluate backup systems before shutting down and settling into the water. Meanwhile, the upper stage conducted a payload demonstration by deploying eight mock Starlink internet satellites and successfully reigniting an engine in space.

The company detailed that the first in-space objective was accomplished with the deployment of eight Starlink simulators, marking the first successful payload demonstration from Starship. The vehicle then achieved the second-ever in-space relight of a Raptor engine, showcasing a critical capability for future deorbit burns.

Upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, Starship's heatshield and maneuvering fins were tested extensively to gather data. SpaceX noted that using its four flaps for control, the spacecraft reached its splashdown point in the Indian Ocean, executed a landing flip, and concluded the flight test with a landing burn and soft splashdown.

SpaceX emphasized that throughout the flight test campaign, success is gauged by the knowledge gained. Starship's tenth flight test provided valuable data by pushing vehicle capabilities to their limits and delivering substantial insights.