Slow motion video shows what it takes to launch 5,000-ton Starship

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 7, 2024 16:28 IST

SpaceX has released breathtaking slow-motion footage of its 5,000-ton Starship launching during its fourth test flight, providing a detailed look at the immense power and precision required for liftoff.

The footage, shared across various platforms, captures the dramatic moments as the Super Heavy booster ignites and propels the Starship into the sky.

WATCH STARSHIP LAUNCH IN SLOW MOTION

The fourth test flight, which took place on June 6, 2024 from SpaceX’s Starbase launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, marked a significant milestone for the aerospace company.

The Super Heavy booster, equipped with 33 Raptor engines, generated over 16 million pounds of thrust to lift the massive rocket off the ground.

Two minutes and 50 seconds into the flight, the Starship upper stage performed a "hot staging" maneuver, firing several of its Raptor engines while still attached to the booster. This maneuver ensured a clean separation, allowing the Super Heavy to execute a boost back burn and achieve a controlled water landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Starship continued its ascent, burning its engines for nearly six minutes before coasting to a height of 214 km above Earth. The spacecraft then began its high-stakes re-entry, with onboard cameras capturing the entire descent.

Viewers watched as the Starship's front right control fin was damaged by the intense heat of re-entry, and the camera lens became cracked and coated in debris.

Despite these challenges, the Starship successfully completed its mission, demonstrating its ability to survive the rigors of launch, ascent, orbital operations, re-entry, and landing. This test flight is part of SpaceX's aggressive campaign to develop a fully reusable spacecraft capable of supporting missions to the Moon and Mars.

The slow-motion footage shared by SpaceX not only highlights the technical prowess involved in launching such a massive rocket but also serves as a testament to the company's iterative approach to spaceflight.

By testing to the point of failure, SpaceX has gathered invaluable data, allowing engineers to refine the design and move closer to achieving a fully operational Starship.