Starship Flight Test Progression: Key Milestones

A review of the critical technological hurdles cleared by the Starship program since its first orbital flight attempt.

The top 3

First Successful Hot-Stage Separation: Achieved during Flight 2, this milestone validated the complex process of igniting the upper stage engines while the booster is still attached.
Orbital Velocity Achievement: Flight 3 marked the first time a Starship upper stage reached near-orbital speeds, a critical requirement for global transport and lunar missions.
Controlled Booster Landing: During the most recent flight, the Super Heavy booster successfully executed a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, proving its recovery capability.