SpaceX's Starship Completes 12th Test with Successful Ocean Landing and Satellite Deployment

SpaceX landed Starship V3 safely in the Indian Ocean on May 22, 2026, completing its 12th test flight and demonstrating satellite deployment in orbit. The upgraded rocket reached key operational milestones after over $15 billion in development. The success reflects SpaceX's iterative approach: earlier tests showed mixed results, but V3 achieved controlled recovery, bringing commercial large-payload missions closer to reality.