Starship: Elon Musk's giant rocket successfully completes a test flight

Elon Musk wants to send people to Mars. The rocket system built for this purpose – the largest in space history – is making progress.

The largest rocket system ever built in space history completed an eleventh test flight largely according to plan. The Starship, developed by tech billionaire Elon Musk's private space company SpaceX, took off from the company's spaceport in the US state of Texas, flew through space for a while and then touched down in the Indian Ocean around an hour later.

The lower rocket stage landed in the sea again as planned, and the release of satellites was also simulated again. SpaceX said it was an “exciting” eleventh test. The company has announced a revised version of the Starship for the next test flight.

Starship is supposed to go to Mars one day

The Starship rocket system is larger than the Statue of Liberty in New York. It consists of two parts that separate after launch: the approximately 70 meter long booster Super Heavy and the upper stage – also called Starship – which measures around 50 meters.

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Both parts are designed to be reused after returning to Earth. The US space agency Nasa wants to send astronauts to the moon with the Starship, while SpaceX aims to one day reach Mars.

The rocket system was tested for the first time in April 2023 – and exploded completely after a few minutes. During further tests, the upper stage reached space and landed in a controlled manner in the Indian Ocean. However, several test flights had already fallen well short of expectations.

European startups are working on their own solutions

SpaceX is considered a pioneer of reusable rocket systems. Startups in Europe – and Germany – are also working on reusable systems. Compared to SpaceX' Starship, Europe relies primarily on independently accessible satellite launches, innovative space transport and supply solutions, and new legislation to strengthen competitiveness.

The goal is independent access to space that reduces Europe's dependence on US and Russian technology. Startups such as Isar Aerospace from Munich, Rocket Factory Augsburg, HyImpulse, Skyrora (UK) and The Exploration Company are developing new rockets (microlaunchers) that are specifically designed for small and medium-sized satellites.

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​kit with material from dpa