SpaceX
Watch the first ever SpaceX Starship daylight splash down
SpaceX has launched the sixth Starship flight test from Starbase and conducted the first-ever daylight splash down to observe this important milestone.
Earlier this month, the company changed the liftoff time from morning to afternoon to watch the sea landing. Prior to this flight, the second stage was only observed at night due to the difference in time zone and splash-down area, which is the Indian Ocean.
The initial flights helped to validate all systems and landing status but now, it wants to ensure all of the tiny things that could hinder the vertical landing on the launch site. Fortunately, the objectives of this new mission went in line with the plan.
These include a successful liftoff, hot-staging, and an initial 6 Raptor engine burn. The ship coasted through the sub-orbit for about 40 minutes before reaching the reentry point.
While flying through space, the ship conducted the first-ever engine relight in the vacuum. This test will enable the SpaceX team to tune the engine for future space missions to the Moon and Mars.
While coasting, the ship broadcasted beautiful visuals of the Earth via Starlink communication satellites.
Reentry
The daylight enabled the ship to show its fullest against the atmospheric pressure and rising temperature. This ship had optimized heat shield tiles to provide thermal protection as the entire spacecraft descended into the Indian Ocean.
These upgrades are essential to withstand any damage caused by the temperature.
Live views of Earth from Starship pic.twitter.com/3rgsHSj2km
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024
Meanwhile, the morning time in the continent allowed the onboard camera to send first-ever daylight videos of the Starship coming down from the clouds.
Starship preparing to splash down in the Indian Ocean pic.twitter.com/EN9jibr07l
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024
At 1 hour and 5 minutes, the ship fired its three center Raptor engines for a flip maneuver and later turned one down to conduct a vertical splash down in the ocean.
Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting sixth flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/bf98Va9qmL
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 19, 2024
