SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully completed a crucial test flight on May 22, 2026, despite exploding upon splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas at around 6:30 PM ET and flew for approximately 66 minutes. During this flight, the Starship deployed dummy Starlink satellites and tested new hardware, including modifications to its heat shield designed to endure the intense conditions of reentry. Following its planned trajectory, the spacecraft reached its designated splashdown zone but tipped over and burst into flames shortly after touching the water, as confirmed by SpaceX's livestream. Notably, this explosion was not deemed a failure, as the Starship was not intended to be recovered from the ocean. This twelfth test flight continues SpaceX's pattern of rapid development, where previous tests also ended with explosions during landing attempts. The Super Heavy booster, which separated earlier in the flight, executed a hard splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Starship is pivotal to SpaceX's long-term ambitions, including participation in NASA's Artemis lunar program and plans for a reusable transport system aimed at Mars exploration.