Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. What a week! <\/em>In the same seven-day period, we watched Boeing\u2019s Starliner launch astronauts to space for the first time, and then we got to watch those two astronauts dock with the International Space Station. And we also got to see SpaceX launch Starship for the fourth time ever \u2014 and then bring it back home. I think I\u2019m not alone in thinking that some of the most spectacular images in the history of rocketry were generated during that flight.<\/p>\n On to the news, and more about these two historic stories below.<\/p>\n Want to reach out with a tip? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com<\/span><\/a> or send me a message on Signal at 512-937-3988. You also can send a note to the whole TechCrunch crew at tips@techcrunch.com<\/a>.\u00a0For more secure communications<\/strong>,\u00a0click here to contact us<\/a>, which includes SecureDrop instructions<\/a> and links to encrypted messaging apps.<\/em><\/p>\n The story of the week goes to Boeing\u2019s Starliner. After years of delays, around $1.5 billion in cost-overruns and ongoing technical issues (yes, ongoing\u2026), the Starliner spacecraft delivered two astronauts to the ISS for the first time.<\/a> Of course, the mission isn\u2019t over yet: After around a week aboard the station, the two astronauts will re-board Starliner and use it to get back home. We\u2019ll all be looking forward to greeting them.<\/p>\n SpaceX has shown once again that subjecting rocket hardware to the real-world flight environment pays dividends. In its latest launch, the company achieved a key milestone in its Starship flight test campaign: returning the booster and the upper stage back to Earth in controlled ocean splashdowns.\u00a0And I must say, the images and video from this launch are absolutely mind-blowing<\/em>.<\/p>\n Starship made a controlled reentry, successfully making it through the phases of peak heating and max aerodynamic pressure and demonstrating the ability to control the vehicle using its flaps while descending through the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds pic.twitter.com\/p8bC9UweLx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nStory of the week<\/h2>\n
Launch of the week<\/h2>\n
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What we\u2019re reading<\/h2>\n
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