Watch SpaceX test Starship engine ahead of 5th flight

SpaceX has released mesmerizing slow-motion footage (below) of a ground-based engine test for the Starship spacecraft in preparation for its fifth test flight.

“Slow-motion view of Flight 5 Starship’s six Raptor engines during static fire,” SpaceX commented alongside the video.

Slow motion view of Flight 5 Starship’s six Raptor engines during static fire pic.twitter.com/5395Vmq2j4

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 27, 2024

The Starship spacecraft serves as the upper component of the Starship vehicle, which also includes the first-stage Super Heavy booster.

While the exact date for the fifth test flight is still pending, recent reports suggest it could occur as early as next month, following the fourth test flight in June.

Equipped with 33 Raptor engines generating an immense 17 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, the Starship vehicle stands as the most potent rocket ever to take flight.

The objective is to utilize the vehicle for crewed and cargo missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond, but comprehensive development and testing are prerequisites.

The initial test flight of the Starship occurred last year from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, but was cut short when the first and upper stages failed to separate.

The subsequent tests displayed significant progress, with the third and fourth flights achieving longer durations and fulfilling most mission objectives.

The upcoming fifth flight is of particular interest as SpaceX plans to attempt to recover the first-stage Super Heavy booster by “catching” it upon landing using mechanical arms attached to the launch tower.

This innovative approach will enable SpaceX to reuse boosters for multiple missions, akin to the Falcon 9 booster, leading to significant cost reductions in space travel.