SpaceX launches Starship rocket but skips booster catch with mechanical arms

SpaceX launched a Starship rocket on Tuesday but did not attempt to catch the booster with mechanical arms, directing it to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico instead. This decision followed a successful catch in the previous test flight. The Starship spacecraft completed a near-global loop, targeting the Indian Ocean for a controlled descent. The launch time was changed to late afternoon for better visibility during descent, and new objectives included engine ignition tests in space. This launch marks the sixth fully assembled Starship flight since 2023, with earlier attempts resulting in explosions. SpaceX aims to reuse the entire Starship to reduce costs for future missions to the moon and Mars.