Overview

• Lifting off from Starbase on Aug. 26 after two earlier scrubs, the mission followed a weather stand-down and a launchpad liquid oxygen leak.
• Starship released eight dummy Starlink satellites in its first payload deployment and successfully relit an upper-stage engine in space.
• Both vehicles executed planned ocean splashdowns, with SpaceX confirming the Starship’s descent into the Indian Ocean and a controlled booster splashdown.
• The flight tested reentry performance including heat-shield tiles and rear flaps, collecting data after prior in‑flight failures in January, March and May.
• SpaceX points to recent hardware fixes such as stronger Super Heavy fins and process changes, though many more successful flights are needed before NASA human-rating and Artemis lander missions.