SpaceX has returned the Starship S40 spacecraft to its Starbase facility in Texas. The vehicle arrived on the heavy transport vessel Forte, operated by Boskalis, following a 75-day journey across the ocean.
The ship completed its 13th test flight on July 24, 2026, which concluded with a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Following the landing, the spacecraft was recovered and transported via Christmas Island and the Cape of Good Hope.
Visual documentation of the arrival shows the S40 secured on the deck of the transport ship. The engine section, including the Raptor nozzles and thermal protection system elements, remains largely intact.
Engineers plan to analyze the condition of the hull and propulsion section. The data collected from the flight-tested hardware will provide insights into material behavior and structural integrity during atmospheric reentry.
