SpaceX launched its Starship rocket from Starbase in Texas on Thursday. This was the fourth test flight and it was the most successful so far. Both the Starship spacecraft and its large booster completed controlled landings in the ocean, which was the main goal.

The Super Heavy booster returned and made a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. This was the first time the booster managed a safe landing. Starship continued into space, reached very high altitude, faced extreme heat when returning, but stayed under control and landed in the Indian Ocean.

Engineers added improvements to the heat shield and flight software after problems in earlier tests. The changes helped protect the vehicle from damage. SpaceX’s success is important for future space missions, including NASA’s planned Moon landing with Artemis III.