SpaceX launches Starship rocket but skips booster catch attempt due to communication loss

SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on November 19, 2024, but did not attempt to catch the booster with mechanical arms, directing it instead to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico. This decision followed a loss of communication with a launch tower computer. The Starship spacecraft completed a test flight similar to last month’s, flying across the Gulf and descending into the Indian Ocean. New objectives included igniting an engine in space and conducting thermal protection experiments. This launch marks the sixth test of the Starship, which SpaceX and NASA aim to use for future moon and Mars missions. Previous launches faced challenges, with the first three resulting in explosions.