The company developed the new saucer-shaped reentry pod, called Starfall, under a veil of secrecy. Its purpose is to support the “transport and delivery of goods through space,” according to an environmental assessment published by the Federal Aviation Administration last month.

Live updates from the SpaceX Starfall demo mission, which launched 6:53 a.m. Tuesday, June 23 from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Starfall is SpaceX’s new uncrewed disk-shaped cargo return capsule (launched on its first demo flight today, June 23, 2026, aboard a Falcon 9). It is a flat, low-profile vehicle (~3.1 m diameter × 0.75 m tall) designed for rapid, high-volume return of ...