Against all odds, SpaceX finally tugs Starship into port after 24 days at sea

SpaceX recovered a Starship spacecraft after 24 days at sea, towing it to Christmas Island despite rough ocean conditions and low expectations. The vehicle won't be reused since saltwater exposure damaged its engines, structure, and electronics. The key reason for recovering it was to study its 18,000 ceramic heat shield tiles, which Elon Musk claims are now a "solved" problem, though outside experts remain skeptical.