
SpaceX will use the intact splashdown and recovery photos from the 13th test flight to justify the next Starship upgrade cycle, even if the upper stage is ultimately lost at sea.
Starship is central to SpaceX’s next phase of launch development, and recovery data from intact hardware is unusually valuable. Even a failed tow can still feed the next design iteration if the photos and post-flight inspection are usable.
AI reasoning
Starship is central to SpaceX’s next phase of launch development, and recovery data from intact hardware is unusually valuable. Even a failed tow can still feed the next design iteration if the photos and post-flight inspection are usable.
Curated summary
SpaceX may lose its Starship upper stage after a failed recovery attempt at sea. Elon Musk said rough seas off Western Australia made towing the 52-metre Ship back to shore unlikely after its July 24 splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The craft stayed intact after the 13th test flight, and SpaceX still gathered close-up photos of the heat shield and engines for future upgrades.
Supporting evidence
Source news
SpaceX’s Starship recovery slips after Indian Ocean splashdown
Elon Musk says rough seas off Western Australia may prevent towing the 52-metre upper stage back to shore after the 13th test flight.


















