The 9 best SpaceX pictures as Musk's biggest-ever rocket Starship finally departs
It was the 10th test for the giant rocket, which SpaceX and NASA hope will carry astronauts back to the moon.
The biggest rocket in the world has completed a successful test flight after a series of explosive failures. Elon Musk's SpaceX launched the mega rocket, Starship, from its base in Texas on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload of eight dummy satellites into space.
After coasting through space for just over an hour, the unmanned Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean. It was the 10th test for the giant spacecraft, which SpaceX and NASA hope will carry astronauts back to the moon later this decade. Mr Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars. The Express has gathered the best pictures of the most recent SpaceX launch - and the failed attempts made in recent months.
Rocket fans get ready for lift off
The latest launch drew a small crowd of rocket fans.
The test included the successful return of the craft's Super Heavy Booster, which splashed down in the Atlantic.
Starship itself orbited the Earth before its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the sea upright with the nose cone pointed upwards.
(Image: Getty)
Starship soars into space
The successful test flight of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, came after a year of mishaps. Back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after lift-off, raining wreckage into the sea.
A previous test in May ended when the spacecraft spiralled out of control and blew apart.
(Image: MICHAEL GONZALEZ/EPA/Shutterstock)
Starship returns to Earth
Before Starship hit the waves, its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the water upright
(Image: MICHAEL GONZALEZ/EPA/Shutterstock)
All systems go as Starship launches in May
SpaceX's Starship embarked on a test flight from Starbase in May. However, the launch didn't go as planned.
(Image: AP)
Disappointment for SpaceX
In fact, the SpaceX's mega rocket exploded seconds into the launch.
(Image: AP/rocketfuture.org)