SpaceX retrieves intact Starship upper stage from Indian Ocean in first

SpaceX has recovered the intact upper stage of a Starship spacecraft near Christmas Island, Australia — the first retrieval of an orbital-class upper stage from open water. The 52-metre vehicle, Ship 40, splashed down on July 24, 2026, after Flight 13 and spent roughly 24 days at sea. Engineers will inspect it for material degradation, advancing the program's full-reusability goal.