SpaceX's Starship Prototype Successfully Lands for the First Time, Paving the Way for Mars Missions

The massive spacecraft prototype can accommodate up to 100 passengers onboard.

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as its Starship prototype—designed specifically for missions to the Moon and Mars—successfully landed back on the launch pad for the very first time. The company streamed the entire test live, captivating audiences worldwide.

The spacecraft ascended to approximately 10 kilometers before shutting down its engines to initiate a controlled descent while maintaining a horizontal orientation. As it approached Earth, the engines reignited to slow down the vehicle and return Starship to a vertical position for touchdown.

This marks the first successful landing of the Starship prototype, showcasing the engineering team's progress and learning from previous challenges, as all prior attempts ended in explosions.

Starship is a super heavy, fully reusable rocket with multiple stages, designed to transport humans and cargo to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars. The transport module can carry up to 100 people onboard. Initially unveiled in 2019, Starship still faces numerous tests ahead, but Elon Musk aims to launch it to the Red Planet by 2026.

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