November 18, 2024 3:40 AM | 2 min read See Also: Elon Musk Backs Calls For End To EV Subsidies, But Former Tesla Exec Warns Of ‘Massive Drop’ In Manufacturing Investments If Trump Follows Through Why It Matters: The space industry is undergoing a transformation, with private companies playing a pivotal role in what is being termed “Space Race 2.0.” This shift began in 2011 when the focus moved to public-private partnerships, with SpaceX emerging as a key player through its Falcon launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft. In October, SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, successfully demonstrated catching a booster propeller for a Starship after it returned to Earth. The launch tower at Starbase caught the propeller with mechanical arms. The key objective of the flight test was to demonstrate the reusability of the Starship's design. However, Starship recently faced a delay in the sixth test flight. This flight, now due Nov. 19, will aim to catch Starship’s booster back at the launch site as on the previous flight and splash down the upper stage in the Indian Ocean. Past Flights: On Starship's fifth flight test in October, it lifted off from Starbase, and the booster returned to Earth after propelling Starship to space. The booster was subsequently caught by the launch tower at Starbase. Musk has also been eyeing taking humans to Mars aboard the Starship. In September, he revealed that the first Starship launch to Mars is expected to be in 2026 but it will not carry a crew. Read Next: