SpaceX’s megarocket finds redemption after explosive failures. But time may be running out

SpaceX’s luck appears to be turning, as the company notched a second straight successful test flight of the Starship launch system — the most powerful rocket ever constructed — on Monday evening. The test mission, which kicked off around 7:23 p.m. ET at SpaceX’s facilities in South Texas, marked the final showing for Starship Version 2, or V2, which SpaceX will now retire in favor of another, slightly larger and more powerful prototype called Version 3.

The V2 test campaign began in January and was marked by a string of explosive, in-flight failures — with one vehicle exploding during a ground test and three others erupting into flames mid-flight — followed by a surprising redemption arc.

SpaceX teases a return to eye-catching booster landings

After using most of its fuel and propelling Starship toward space, the Super Heavy on Monday safely broke away from the upper Starship spacecraft and veered back toward Earth.

For this test mission, Super Heavy made a controlled splashdown in the ocean just east of Texas. But the vehicle completed maneuvers designed to help engineers hash out how an upgraded Version 3 iteration of Starship will land back in the arms of SpaceX’s massive launch tower.

SpaceX completed a couple show-stopping test runs of this capability on earlier test flights. But it has now been months since the company has attempted to bring Super Heavy back to dry land. Today’s flight offers a glimmer of hope that a V3 booster catch could be on the horizon.

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After breaking away from Super Heavy, the Starship spacecraft lit up its own six engines and soared into space. As the vehicle moved through its flight path, it carried out a couple of crucial tests.