Prototype Starship vehicle without dispenser. Includes additional armoring around flap joints.
The full launch profile will involve a Return-to-Launch-Site (RTLS) for the SuperHeavy booster. SuperHeavy will attempt a landing by being caught by the "chopsticks" on the launch tower. Starship will continue on a suborbital flight profile at near-orbital speeds, towards a splashdown in an area to be confirmed. The goal of mission is the successful recovery of both SuperHeavy and Starship.
SuperHeavy and Starship launched on the expected launch profile. After stage separation, SuperHeavy returned-to-launch-site and was caught on the launch tower successfully. Starship continued for an accurate soft-landing in the Indian Ocean.
