SpaceX Starship: A Game-Changing Success in Space Travel

SpaceX Starship: The Launch Revolutionizes Space Travel Economics

The SpaceX Starship isn't reusable yet. But it's already the cheapest, most powerful expendable rocket on Earth. On Thursday morning, March 14, SpaceX conducted the third test flight of its combination Starship reusable spaceship and Super Heavy booster. And you've got to hand it to SpaceX: It really knows how to put on a show.

Launching out of Boca Chica, Texas at 9:25 a.m. ET atop 33 gouts of rocket flame, Starship and Super Heavy quickly reached orbital velocity and -- this is important for a spaceship -- did not blow up.

What Starship Achieved

• Lasting six times longer than the previous test flight.
• Achieving orbit.
• Demonstrating payload door opening and closing in space.
• Conducting a test of fuel transfer between tanks in space.

All of this sets up SpaceX well to make further progress as it conducts a planned six more test flights over the course of this year (FAA permitting, of course).

SpaceX's Cost Efficiency

According to NASA, SpaceX's total cost to build and launch a Starship and Super Heavy booster is just $90 million, significantly lower than the billions spent on other rockets. Starship can launch 2.5 times SLS's payload for 4% of SLS's price, making it a cost-effective option for space missions.

The next steps for SpaceX will likely solidify Starship's success in transforming space travel economics and creating new opportunities for investors.