SpaceX's Starship V3 remains afloat in Indian Ocean five days after test flight
SpaceX posted images showing the Starship V3 upper stage still floating off Western Australia five days after its July 24 suborbital test, marking the smoothest splashdown to date.
SpaceX's Starship V3 upper stage was photographed on July 28 still floating in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia, five days after the vehicle's suborbital test flight on July 24. The 408-foot (124-meter) Starship system, which includes the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage, performed a soft splashdown that left the 171-foot (52-meter) upper stage largely above water, resembling a marine vessel in the image.
The company shared the photo on its X account, noting the vehicle was "still afloat in the Indian Ocean." Video from the flight, captured by onboard cameras and Starlink satellites deployed during the test, showed the vehicle's descent and splashdown.
SpaceX aims to develop rapid reusability for both stages of Starship, allowing them to be recovered, inspected, refueled and relaunched within days. However, experts note that improving the heatshield's durability remains a significant technical challenge for achieving full rapid reusability.
The continued integrity of the upper stage after several days at sea is considered a notable milestone in the program's development.