Alongside Musk, Trump accompanies SpaceX rocket testing

The president-elect of the USA, Donald Trump, accompanied this Tuesday (19) alongside businessman Elon Musk, the new test of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, in Texas. This was the sixth test of the rocket, which is the largest and most powerful ever built, marking a significant advance in the space race led by Musk’s company.

Starship was designed to transport people to the Moon and Mars on future missions, being the model chosen by NASA to take astronauts back to the lunar surface in 2026.

Trump arrived at the launch site accompanied by Republican senators and representatives, including Texas senator Ted Cruz. Upon landing at the launch center in Brownsville, Trump greeted Musk with a hug. The two have been very close since the end of the elections.

According to information from CNNSpaceX classified the test carried out this Tuesday as a success, highlighting important milestones achieved during the mission. Starship completed its predicted trajectory and made a safe landing in the Indian Ocean, about an hour after launch. The Super Heavy booster, which sits on the bottom of the ship, was directed into the Gulf of Mexico for a controlled landing, rather than returning with Starship back to the launch pad, as in previous tests.

Additionally, SpaceX announced a technical milestone: for the first time, one of the Raptor engines was successfully fired in space, validating technology that will be essential for future interplanetary missions. This advancement is crucial to the company’s plans to use Starship on trips to the Moon and Mars, as well as ensuring its ability to withstand extreme conditions in the space environment.

Musk was one of the main supporters of Trump’s successful campaign, having donated more than $100 million to the Republican Party. The businessman has accompanied Trump at meetings being held at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and Washington, offering advice on cabinet appointments and strategic issues. Musk was appointed by Trump to co-lead the government efficiency department, alongside businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.