SpaceX spaceship completes sixth flight carrying a banana

The sixth test flight of SpaceX’s Starship, the world’s largest rocket, was successfully conducted on November 19. The 400-foot rocket, developed by Elon Musk’s private space company, lifted off from the Starbase facility at 5 p.m. EST. in South Texas. Despite high hopes for a repeat of the earlier booster capture using the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms, the Super Heavy booster was instead sent to a controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico because a safety parameter was activated.

Booster catch attempt postponed

The planned booster recovery had to be canceled according to data reviewed mid-flight, Dan Huot, a SpaceX representative, confirmed during the live webcast. The booster splashed into the Gulf seven minutes after launch. An earlier flight in October demonstrated a successful tower capture, marking a major milestone for reusable rocket technology.

Milestones achieved in the upper phase of the Starship

Starship’s upper stage, known simply as ‘Ship’, followed a semi-orbital trajectory similar to that of the fifth flight. For the first time, the spacecraft carried a payload: a banana that served as a gravity indicator. This flight tested changes to the heat shield and new thermal protection materials, while in-flight engine re-ignition was also performed to validate re-entry maneuvers critical for future orbital missions.

Improved observations of reentry

Unlike previous flights, this mission was timed for better visibility of the ship’s descent. The spacecraft survived the intense reentry process and performed a vertical landing in the Indian Ocean near Australia. Observers noted the craft’s resilience, despite testing a less advanced heat shield.

Jessica Anderson, production engineering manager at SpaceX, described the results during the live webcast as remarkable. Co-host Kate Tice, a senior quality engineering manager, also recognized the importance of the successful descent amid these challenges.

Political presence emphasizes interest

President-elect Donald Trump was among those attending the event and underlined his growing bond with Elon Musk. Trump, who recently appointed Musk to co-lead a government efficiency group, showed visible support for the Starship program during the high-profile launch.