SpaceX megarocket successfully lands in Texas after Starship test launch

“SpaceX engineers spent years preparing for the capture attempt,” the company wrote before launch. “Tens of thousands of hours” were dedicated by technicians “to creating the necessary infrastructure to maximize our chances of success”, added the manufacturer.

Starship, in turn, continued its return flight to Earth until landing in the Indian Ocean, after about an hour of flight, at 10:30 am this Sunday (Brasília time).

Flight license

Starship development is carried out by launching unladen prototypes in order to quickly correct problems encountered in real flight situations.

In recent weeks, the company has openly complained about the slowness of the American aviation regulator (FAA), responsible for flight authorizations. “It takes more time to complete the administrative formalities necessary to obtain a license to launch a rocket than to design and build the equipment itself,” lamented the company, in a rare and long press release, in September.

Elon Musk, who ostensibly supports Republican candidate Donald Trump in the November 5 presidential election, has called for the FAA chief to be fired.