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Why the latest Starship test stunned experts—and raised even bigger questions
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Fusion42 · 23 October 2026 · Fusion42 review
SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight demonstrated successful upper stage performance including payload deployment and engine relight in orbit, while the Super Heavy booster missed its intended precision landing due to engine failures during descent, resulting in a hard splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Government & Space.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
You need to prepare for a market where SpaceX's upper stage is reliable but booster returns remain risky. Building tech to support expendable heavy-lift rockets or payload deployment could open immediate opportunities.
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1 source · 23 Oct 2026
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