SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster malfunction thwarts double catch attempt

SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit during a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Friday, but an automatic abort sent its Super Heavy booster into the Gulf of Mexico instead of back to the launch pad for a planned catch. The spacecraft continued its flight and is expected to attempt a return from orbit to the launch tower Saturday. The test is part of SpaceX’s effort to recover and reuse the rocket’s components.