Overview

• SpaceX's Starship completed its sixth test flight on November 19, achieving milestones such as reigniting a Raptor engine in space for the first time.
• The Super Heavy booster, intended to be caught by the launch tower, was instead splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico due to a safety system abort.
• The FAA issued a draft environmental assessment allowing SpaceX to increase its Starship launches from five to 25 annually, pending final approval after public consultations.
• Starship's development is critical for NASA's Artemis program, with plans to use the rocket for the Artemis III lunar mission in 2026 and future Mars missions.
• President-elect Donald Trump attended the launch, highlighting SpaceX's growing ties with the incoming administration, which may ease regulatory processes for the company.