SpaceX failed to catch the first stage of Starship, and the system's first payload was a two-meter banana.

On the night of November 20, at 01:00 Moscow time, the sixth launch of Starship took place from the Boca Chica launch site in Texas. This marked the final launch of its Starship V1 version; starting in 2025, Starship V2, which is even larger, will begin its flights.

Currently, the 121-meter system that took off today is the largest rocket in history. During the launch, more than nine tons of fuel were expended every second from the 33 engines of the first stage, resulting in a total thrust of 74 meganewtons. This is 60% more than the previous most powerful rocket in history — the N-1 by Sergei Korolev.

The first stage operated normally during the launch; however, the planned catch by the Mechazilla system did not occur seven minutes later. The reason was issues with the readiness sensors of the catching tower. The photo shows that the lightning rod, which also functions as a communication antenna, was tilted. It is not yet clear whether its tilt was the reason for the cancellation or if something else caused it.

Aside from that, the tests were successful: eight minutes after the launch, the second stage began its spaceflight. Almost 38 minutes after liftoff, it briefly reignited one of its six Raptor engines and slightly altered its trajectory. Prior to this, SpaceX had not successfully restarted an engine in space (which is essential for maneuvering in space). This capability is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of future flights, as well as for the possibility of Starship docking in space and refueling in orbit.

Unlike all previous space systems, Starship must be refueled after reaching space, which will require up to a dozen dockings with specialized tanker ships converted from the basic Starship version. Therefore, the ability to maneuver in orbit is more critical for it than for earlier space systems.

This time, a sort of payload mock-up was onboard the ship — a two-meter plush banana. It was intended to serve as a visual indicator of the onset of weightlessness; however, Starship is already equipped with systems that allow tracking this. Apparently, as is often the case with SpaceX, the banana was a manifestation of the chief designer's unique sense of humor.

Despite the technical capability to deploy the banana into orbit, the company chose not to do so. It returned to Earth along with the second stage. The latter gently landed in the Indian Ocean after 45 minutes of flight (for the first time during daylight) and then floated on the surface for a while. The atmospheric reentry today occurred without visible damage in the area of the fins. Apparently, modifications made after previous flights, when one of the fins partially disintegrated, had a positive effect.

The fate of the first stage of Starship was somewhat unusual. After the sensors on the tower indicated that catching was impossible, the first stage proceeded to a predetermined point in the Gulf of Mexico, where it gently landed using three of its 33 rocket engines. Shortly after landing, an explosion of some fuel occurred.

However, the stage did not lose buoyancy, and after 1.5 hours of drifting on the ocean's surface, another explosion unexpectedly occurred. Following this, there was no immediate loss of buoyancy. Previously, the first stage sank in significantly shorter time frames; apparently, changes in its design have made it harder for water to enter.

The next key phase in the testing of SpaceX's reusable space system will be orbital refueling (with a preliminary docking of two Starships). According to the formal schedule agreed upon with NASA, this is expected to take place in February 2025.

Many observers believe that due to constant delays in obtaining flight permits from government regulators, SpaceX has fallen so far behind schedule that it will not be able to meet the timeline. Nevertheless, docking is likely to occur in the first half of 2025.