Quote:
Originally Posted by blueash
SpaceX did their 5th Starship launch. This is a 31 engine rocket this will be used for moon missions soon. But today was the time they have had a couple of WOW successes.
Firstly, they returned the first stage to the launch pad. You say the Falcon9 has been landing back at the Cape or on drones for years. This was so different. It didn't land. Instead it came down alongside the launch tower which grabbed it still in the air with "chopsticks" and held it in place way off the ground.
Second you can follow the main starship to its watery grave off Australia. It landed in the ocean at night but it is visible both from the landing burn flame and then a massive explosion. I think you can see the camera actually going under water. They had some kind of drone or unmanned ship at the site that also captures the descent.
Watch it HERE
LIftoff at 33 minutes
First stage landing at 39 minutes
Starship landing and explosion at 1 hr 38 min |
Great day for the US Space program. I'm curious where the effective pressure on the FAA came from? I suspect more Starship launches by the end of the year.