Why is Elon Musk’s latest Starship rocket test a big deal?

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has successfully completed a world-first test and landed part of its spacecraft back on its launch pad.

That means the company’s plan to move closer to developing a fully reusable and rapidly deployable rocket.

BBC science correspondent Pallab Ghosh examines why this “incredibly difficult” operation is a big deal for future exploration and what environmental concerns people may have.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US government agency that approves all flights, had previously said there would be no launch before November as it reviewed the company’s approvals.

The agency and Elon Musk have been in a public spat since last month after the FAA said it planned to fine his company SpaceX $633,000 for allegedly failing to comply with its license terms and obtain permits for previous flights .

Before issuing a license, the FAA examines the impact of the flight, particularly the impact on the environment.

In response to the fine, Musk threatened to sue the agency, and SpaceX published a public blog post pushing back against the outside “false report” that part of the rocket was polluting.

Filmed and edited by Beatrice Guzzardi.

Produced by Ian Casey.