SpaceX launches sixth Starship flight test as Trump attends event in Texas
SpaceX's sixth flight test of the Starship megarocket launched successfully on November 19, 2024, at 4 PM local time in Texas. The mission aimed to test various capabilities, including engine restarts in space and heat shield performance during reentry. However, the Super Heavy booster did not land as planned. It splashed down in the ocean instead of being caught by the "chopsticks" at the launch site. This was a change from the previous successful catch during the last flight test. President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch, marking his first visit to a Starship event. The mission is part of SpaceX's plans for hundreds of Starship launches in the future.