Elon Musk Says Starship Flight 13 Is Being Recovered From the Sea Nearly 24 Days After Landing in the Ind

Starship Flight 13, which previously landed in the ocean approximately 24 days ago, is currently being recovered from its sea-based location. The recovery operation is being overseen by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, and aims to bring the prototype vehicle back to shore for analysis and potential reuse.

This retrieval is a significant step in SpaceX's iterative development process for Starship, the company's super heavy-lift launch vehicle designed for missions to Mars and beyond. Each test flight, whether successful or resulting in loss, provides valuable data. Recovering the vehicle allows engineers to examine its performance, structural integrity, and any potential issues encountered during its oceanic descent and extended submersion, informing future design improvements and operational strategies.