SpaceX Answers Critics With Successful Starship Test Flight

SpaceX's Starship megarocket roared into the skies on Aug 26 on its 10th test flight, turning in a strong performance after a series of fiery failures had begun to cast doubt on its future.

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, US - SpaceX's Starship megarocket roared into the skies on Aug 26 on its 10th test flight, turning in a strong performance after a series of fiery failures had begun to cast doubt on its future.

Towering 123m, Starship is the most powerful launch vehicle ever built and key to founder Elon Musk's vision of carrying humanity to Mars, as well as NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon.

The stainless steel colossus blasted off from the company's Starbase in southern Texas at 6.30pm local time, greeted by loud cheers from engineering teams, as seen in a live webcast.

A few minutes into launch, the first-stage booster known as Super Heavy splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico, triggering a sonic boom on its way.

Unlike other recent tests, SpaceX opted not to attempt a catch with the giant "chopstick" arms of the launch tower, instead testing how it would perform if an engine cut out.