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SpaceX Test Flight Misses Landing But Donald Trump Can Boost it to The Moon

Last Updated
James Morales
Last Updated
By James Morales
Edited by Insha Zia

Key Takeaways

  • SpaceX launched its sixth Starship test flight on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
  • Starship is the spacecraft that will carry the Artemis III mission.
  • Artemis III is currently scheduled to land humans on the moon in late 2026.
  • Donald Trump’s support could provide a major boost for SpaceX in the years ahead.

SpaceX’s sixth Starship test flight failed to repeat the launch tower “chopstick” booster catch first displayed during the previous test flight.

But as he watched on, CEO Elon Musk could take solace from the guest of honor at the launch viewing: President-Elect Donald Trump.

With the two men in a close alliance ever since Trump’s election, SpaceX now has a crucial backer in its efforts to land humans on the moon in 2026.

SpaceX Fails To Repeat Starship Booster Catch

The latest Starship test flight was part of SpaceX’s preparations for Artemis III, which is expected to land humans on the moon for the first time in over fifty years.

With the mission currently scheduled to launch in September 2026, SpaceX has ramped up its preparations with monthly test flights.

During the latest flight, however, SpaceX controllers announced at the last minute that they wouldn’t catch the booster rocket as previously planned and would instead divert it to land in the sea. SpaceX didn’t provide a reason for the decision.

Experiments with catching different components of Starship’s booster rockets are part of SpaceX’s ongoing work to enhance the craft’s reusability, helping to advance a less wasteful, more cost-efficient mode of propulsion.

With Starship set to play a critical role in Artemis III and other planned lunar missions, reusable rockets have become a key focus for the company.

Trump’s Role in Artemis III

While NASA has occasionally wavered on Artemis III’s scope and timeline, with Trump due to take office in January, the mission will almost certainly fall under his watch.

For the incoming Trump Administration, Artemis III will mark the completion of a goal the then-president initially set during his previous term.

In 2017, Trump issued Space Policy Directive-1, amending an Obama-era memorandum with more ambitious and specific targets for American space exploration.

“Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization,” the directive states.

After this has been achieved, it calls for human missions to Mars and other destinations.

From the Moon to Mars

In the near term, SpaceX is focused on landing humans on the moon, but ultimately, that is just one step on the way to Mars.

Before the U.S. presidential election, Musk warned  that “we will never reach Mars if Kamala wins.”

He has often blamed Democrats for government red tape, which he claims has held SpaceX back.

SpaceX Could Benefit From Trump Government

With Trump currently selecting his appointments for key government agencies that regulate SpaceX and are also among its biggest clients, Musk could use his influence to place allies in government.

The most obvious way the Trump administration could favor SpaceX would be to pursue a deregulatory agenda at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Musk has been severely critical  of FAA Chief Mike Whitaker for saying that SpaceX must operate at the “highest level of safety.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could reinstate an $885 million Starlink contract that was struck down in 2022.

Following Trump’s appointment of Brendan Carr as FCC Chair, that prospect looks more likely. Carr was among two Commissioners who opposed revoking the funding, and he accused the government of unfairly targeting Musk’s businesses.

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James Morales

Although his background is in crypto and FinTech news, these days, James likes to roam across CCN’s editorial breadth, focusing mostly on digital technology. Having always been fascinated by the latest innovations, he uses his platform as a journalist to explore how new technologies work, why they matter and how they might shape our future.
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