We have just experienced an absolutely historic moment in space adventure! On the occasion of its fifth test flight, SpaceX managed to return to Earth and recover the Starship’s Super Heavy Booster first stage on the launch pad. A maneuver of great complexity which had never before been attempted.
First test, first success for the return of the Starship booster
The Starship 30 prototype and its Super Heavy 11 Booster took off from the Starbase launch pad in Bocca Chica (Texas) at 2:25 p.m. (Paris time). The booster’s 33 Raptor engines fired nominally.
The separation between the Starship and the first stage took place as planned after 2 minutes 40 minutes of flight. The Booster Super Heavy 11 began its return to Earth, which we were able to follow live thanks to absolutely incredible images.
The Super Heavy booster succeeded in a centimeter-precise maneuver
The 71 meter tall monster fired up 13 of its Raptor engines to control its descent. It crossed the plume of smoke caused by its takeoff before positioning itself in the vertical axis of the launch pad. At 6:50, with precision of the order of a centimeter and remarkable stability, the booster slipped between the two “Mechazilla” arms of the tower which blocked it in suspension.
Starship successfully completed controlled atmospheric re-entry and precision water landing
During this time, the Starship 30 continued its flight at an altitude of more than 200 km before beginning its atmospheric reentry 45 minutes after the start of the flight. The opportunity to admire sublime images thanks to a high-speed Starlink satellite link.
Abnormal heating was observed at the hinge of one of the front wings. But, unlike the previous test flight, the part remained intact.
The Starship touched down in the Indian Ocean 1 hour and 5 seconds after takeoff, hitting the designated target. The vessel apparently exploded after hitting the water, as it rolled onto its side. But the entire flight is a success.