SpaceX achieved another key milestone on Wednesday as its Starship rocket completed a successful test flight, with the Super Heavy booster performing a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

The launch took place from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, and showcased incremental progress in the company’s efforts to make both stages of Starship fully reusable.

Shortly after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster separated cleanly from the Starship upper stage before initiating a complex series of descent maneuvers.

As planned, the booster executed a controlled flip and multiple burn sequences to stabilise its trajectory. Instead of attempting a land-based recovery or catching maneuver, SpaceX deliberately targeted a splashdown zone in the Gulf.

The approach provided engineers with valuable real-world data on the booster’s engine restarts and aerodynamic handling without risking infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, the Starship upper stage continued on its ascent, reaching near-orbital velocity before preparing for its high-speed reentry tests. This mission further built on the company’s earlier flights, which progressively demonstrated improvements in stage separation, heat-shield durability, and engine performance.

SpaceX’s ultimate goal is to return both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage for rapid reuse, drastically cutting launch costs. While future flights are expected to attempt tower “catch” landings for the booster, Wednesday’s successful splashdown validated critical elements of the system in a safer, controlled environment.

The 10th test flight shows SpaceX’s step-by-step approach to developing the fully reusable Starship system, central to NASA’s Artemis lunar landing program and Elon Musk’s long-term vision of crewed missions to Ma

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