Superheavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship could transform astronomy by making space telescopes cheaper

Superheavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship could transform astronomy by making space telescopes cheaper

SpaceX's Starship rocket launches in August 2025. Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty ImagesAfter a string of dramatic failures, the huge Starship rocket from SpaceX had a fully successful test on Oct. 13, 2025. A couple more test flights, and SpaceX plans to launch it into orbit. A month later, a rival rocket company, Blue Origin, flew its almost-as-large New Glenn rocket all the way to orbit and sent spacecraft on their way to Mars. While these suc…