SpaceX tows intact Starship upper stage to Christmas Island after 24-day ocean drift

The upper stage of SpaceX's Starship, designated Ship 40, has been towed to Christmas Island after drifting in the Indian Ocean for 24 days following its first successful splashdown during the 13th test flight. Contrary to earlier predictions that the vehicle might be scuttled, the spacecraft remained afloat and was recovered by the SpaceX Recovery team.

Ship 40 performed its first controlled water landing on July 24 after launching from the Starbase facility in South Texas. The spacecraft touched down in the Indian Ocean as planned, marking a milestone for the program. Since then, the recovery team has been working to bring the 52-meter-long vehicle to port.

SpaceX reported on August 7 that the recovery effort faced "challenging conditions and a persistently rough ocean." At one point, it appeared that the team might not be able to safely retrieve the stage. However, despite the difficulties, Ship 40 eventually reached calmer waters near Christmas Island, a small Australian external territory located about 1,900 kilometers northwest of Broome, Western Australia. Most of the island is a national park known for its unique wildlife.

The company stated on August 18 that a team of engineers is being dispatched to conduct additional analysis of the vehicle in the calmer waters before attempting to return it to Starbase. The successful recovery of an intact Starship upper stage after an ocean landing is a significant step for SpaceX, as it demonstrates the vehicle's durability and the feasibility of reusing such hardware in future missions. The outcome also provides valuable data for improving the spacecraft's design and recovery procedures.