Overview
- Ship 40, which launched July 24, reached space, deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites, relit a Raptor engine in orbit, reentered and made a soft, intact splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
- Super Heavy Booster 20 failed multiple engine relights on descent and hit the Gulf of Mexico at high speed after the landing‑burn could not slow the booster for a soft recovery.
- SpaceX confirmed Ship 40 is still afloat and has dispatched a recovery vessel to bring the upper stage back for hands‑on inspection of its stainless‑steel structure, systems and heat shield.
- Elon Musk said Flight 13 deliberately used higher acceleration to stress‑test tile attachment, but independent experts reviewing post‑splashdown photos reported white streaking at tile seams and cracked edges that could indicate gas intrusion and require significant refurbishment.
- Engineers will use flight telemetry and physical inspection to decide Flight 14’s objectives and the timing of a possible orbital attempt, while regulators have not opened a formal mishap probe and public investors are watching results closely.