Irene Klotz
October 17, 2025

Super Heavy Version 2 booster above ocean

After dispatching a Starship into a near-orbital trajectory, the fifth and final Super Heavy Version 2 booster made a hypersonic return to Earth and hovered in position before splashing into the ocean.

Credit: SpaceX

SpaceX had a rough start with its Starship Version 2. Propellant leaks and hardware issues felled the first three vehicles minutes into planned hour-long, suborbital flights. A fourth ship was destroyed during fueling for a routine Raptor static engine hot-fire before launch. The fifth Starship…

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

SpaceX Finishes Five-Flight Starship-Super Heavy Version 2 Test Series is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers.

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