United States - October 18, 2024

In a dazzling display of space technology, SpaceX has released new footage capturing the dramatic nighttime splashdown of Starship's upper stage, following its historic fifth test flight on October 13. The video, showcasing the vehicle's reentry and precision landing in the Indian Ocean, marks another monumental achievement for the aerospace company.

The test flight, which began with the launch from SpaceX's South Texas site, saw the Starship's Super Heavy first-stage booster being successfully caught by the launch tower's "chopstick" arms—a maneuver that itself made headlines. However, the spotlight now shifts to the Starship upper stage, or simply "Ship," which completed its mission with an equally impressive return to Earth.

Traveling halfway around the world, the 165-foot-tall spacecraft executed what SpaceX described as a "pinpoint splashdown." The video, released on October 18 via X, captures the critical moments of the Starship's flip maneuver and landing burn, underscoring the vehicle's enhanced capabilities. These improvements included better protection for the flaps against high heating, ensuring a controlled atmospheric reentry and landing.

"Starship flip maneuver and landing burn on its fifth flight test... resulting in a controlled entry and high-accuracy splashdown at the targeted area in the Indian Ocean," SpaceX detailed in their post, highlighting the precision and control demonstrated by the spacecraft.