According to reference news citing US media reports, on October 13, former US President Trump shared his feelings watching the live broadcast of the "Starship" test flight. Trump said: The booster fell too fast, and I thought it was a bad thing. If we have a chance, we have to let Musk explain the principle. Musk is our man.


At about 8:30 pm on the 13th, Beijing time, Musk’s Space Exploration Technology Company (SpaceX)’s new generation heavy-duty launch vehicle “Starship” was launched. This is the fifth test flight of “Starship”. It will be the first attempt to use the launch tower’s mechanical arm (also known as “chopsticks”) to capture the booster in mid-air for recovery and was successful.

Judging from the live broadcast, six minutes after the rocket was launched, the first-stage super-heavy rocket separated from the starship and returned to be clamped in the air by a pair of huge metal pliers, which SpaceX calls "chopsticks." After that, the second stage of the starship continued to fly normally. About 1 hour and 5 minutes after launch, the second stage successfully splashed down into the Indian Ocean, successfully completing its scheduled mission.



Image source: SpaceX live broadcast screen

On the evening of October 13th, Beijing time, SpaceX posted on the social media X platform:"Confirmed splashdown, congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on completing the exciting fifth test launch of Starship."

Later, Musk forwarded the article and said:"The second of the two goals has been achieved." Musk also posted that today has taken a big step towards realizing multi-planetary life.




According to the Securities Times, CNN reported that the "Starship" first-stage "Super Heavy" booster completed a "historic landing" on the launch pad. The live broadcast showed the booster hanging between the chopsticks. Meanwhile, the "Starship" spacecraft is still sailing in space. In about half an hour, the spacecraft will attempt to re-enter the atmosphere and is scheduled to splash down in the Indian Ocean.

According to CNBC, this achievement marks an important milestone towards SpaceX’s goal of making Starship a fully reusable rocket system.

"As we prepare to return to the Moon with Artemis, continued testing will prepare us for bold missions ahead," Nelson wrote.

"Starship" has been tested four times before. During the first test launch in April 2023, the rocket exploded before the first and second stages separated. During the second test launch in November 2023, the first and second stages of the rocket successfully separated, but then the booster and the spacecraft exploded one after another. During the third test launch in March 2024, the first and second stages of the rocket successfully separated, but the booster accidentally disintegrated after trying to land and ignite, and the spacecraft lost contact when it re-entered the atmosphere. During the fourth test launch in June 2024, the first and second stages of the rocket successfully separated and fell into the Gulf of Mexico and the Indian Ocean respectively as planned.

According to Jiemian News, Starship is the largest and most powerful launch vehicle in the world so far. According to SpaceX, the starship is equipped with multiple "Raptor" engines, with a total height of about 120 meters and a diameter of about 9 meters. The rocket is composed of two parts, namely the first-stage booster "Superheavy" and the second-stage spacecraft "Starship".

The successful launch of the starship is of revolutionary significance to the history of human spaceflight. It can send more than 100 tons of items into orbit at one time. Starship is also a fully reusable rocket, which will greatly reduce the cost of space activities and help Musk realize his "Mars dream."