WATCH: SpaceX launches 6th test flight of Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket

SpaceX launched its Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket for the 6th time on Tuesday.

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Update:

SpaceX launched its Starship mega-rocket for the 6th time Tuesday afternoon.

With data and flight learnings as our primary payload, Starship’s sixth flight test once again delivered → https://t.co/oIFc3u9laE pic.twitter.com/O6ZKThQRr6
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 20, 2024

After launching from SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, the Super Heavy rocket performed a splashdown landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

SpaceX originally planned to catch the Super Heavy back at the launch site, but it needed to alter its plans mid-flight.

Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting sixth flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/bf98Va9qmL
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024

Original report:

The 30-minute launch window is currently set to open at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

SpaceX is planning to use its Super Heavy rocket to fly Starship into space from its Starbase site in Boca Chica, Texas.

Watch: NASA, SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts return to Earth with splashdown near Florida

The Super Heavy rocket is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built.

SpaceX is planning to catch the Super Heavy rocket in midair back at the launch pad, which it successfully did on the first attempt for the 5th Starship test launch.

Read: In an engineering feat, mechanical SpaceX arms catch Starship rocket booster back at the launch pad

SpaceX plans to use Starship and Super Heavy to send astronauts to the moon and eventually Mars.

“The next Starship flight test aims to expand the envelope on ship and booster capabilities and get closer to bringing reuse of the entire system online. Objectives include the booster once again returning to the launch site for catch, reigniting a ship Raptor engine while in space, and testing a suite of heatshield experiments and maneuvering changes for ship reentry and descent over the Indian Ocean,” a SpaceX spokesperson said.

Read: NASA selects SpaceX to develop spacecraft to deorbit International Space Station

Channel 9 will continue to monitor the planned Starship launch and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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