Starship Is Preparing To Soar Over Cities—But The Major Ones Are Out Of Its Flight Path

Until now, all Starship test flights have ended in ocean splashdowns after following arcing, suborbital paths. SpaceX intends to attempt a return-to-launch-site (RTLS) maneuver—bringing Starship back to its Texas launchpad from space. The launch path departs eastward over the Gulf of Mexico, meaning any orbital return must approach from the west—directly over land. Credit: Federal Aviation AdministrationStarship V3 Brings Increased CapabilityCoinciding with this new flight plan is the introduction of the updated Starship V3. Proving Starship can return from orbit and land safely will not only validate the vehicle’s design—it will demonstrate that fully reusable spacecraft are within reach.