SpaceX launches Starship rocket without catching booster in Gulf of Mexico

SpaceX launched a Starship rocket on Tuesday 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 successful catch in the previous month. The Starship spacecraft completed a flight path similar to last month’s test, aiming for a controlled descent in the Indian Ocean. New objectives included igniting an engine in space and testing thermal protection without heat tiles. This launch marks the sixth for a fully assembled Starship since 2023, with earlier flights ending in explosions. SpaceX continues to develop the rocket for future missions to the moon and Mars, supported by NASA's $4 billion contract.