Starship's Tenth Flight: SpaceX Edges Closer to Mars Ambitions

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket for the tenth test flight, aiming to overcome previous setbacks. The mission tested new heat shield tiles and satellite deployment. Starship's upper stage separated successfully, landing in the Gulf of Mexico and reached space, marking a key milestone with successful mock satellite deployment.

Elon Musk's SpaceX achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday with the launch of its colossal Starship rocket, marking the tenth test flight aimed at surmounting development challenges and reaching crucial technical goals inherent to Mars-focused reusable designs.

The Starship system, an impressive 403-foot structure, lifted off precisely at 7:30 p.m. EST from the company's Starbase in south Texas. This mission was pivotal, testing the craft's new heat shield tiles and its capacity for satellite deployment, among various other upgrades.

Post-launch, the rocket's upper section successfully disengaged from its Super Heavy booster, opting for a strategic splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The Starship then journeyed to space, achieving a key triumph by deploying mock Starlink satellites, an endeavor not attained in earlier tests.

(With inputs from agencies.)