On Wednesday, May 5, Starship serial number 15 (SN15) successfully completed SpaceX’s fifth high-altitude flight test of a Starship prototype from Starbase in Texas. SN15 ascended, transitioned propellant, and reoriented itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent. The Raptor engines reignited to perform the landing flip maneuver before touching down for a nominal landing on the pad. These Starship test flights improve our understanding and development of a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo on long-duration interplanetary flights, help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond.

SpaceX Starship SN15 will be attempting another exciting medium altitude test flight (~10 km / 33,000 ft *ISH). This UN-CREWED rocket will lift off from Starbase (Boca Chica), Texas under the power of three Raptor engines. At apogee, it will flip into a horizontal (belly flop) configuration for descent. Prior to landing, it will ignite three of its Raptor engines to initiate the landing flip before shutting one down. SN15 will attempt a propulsive landing on the landing pad, potentially becoming the first Starship prototype to successfully do so. 00:00 – Intro 03:05 – Prelaunch Preview 08:45 – Introducing MaryLiz Bender! 11:30 – Inside Starship 15:00 – Q&A 05:23:50 – LIFT OFF! 05:29:30 – Landing! 06:45:40 – Slow Mo replays! Need to know more information? Check out our Prelaunch Preview – https://everydayastronaut.com/starship-sn15-10-km-test-flight/ Subscribe to Cosmic Perspective! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh3jrub_0od3EFoUtiIG4jQ #SpaceX #Starship #SN15 ——————- Want to support what I do? Consider becoming a Patreon supporter for access to exclusive livestreams, our discord channel and subreddit! – http://patreon.com/everydayastronaut Or become a YouTube member for some bonus perks as well! – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uKrU_WqJ1R2HMTY3LIx5Q/join The best place for all your space merch needs! https://everydayastronaut.com/shop/ All music is original! Check out my album “Maximum Aerodynamic Pressure” anywhere you listen to music (Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc) or click here for easy links – http://everydayastronaut.com/music I’m the cohost of an awesome podcast where we talk all about current technologies and how they shape our future! http://ourludicrousfuture.com or here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/ourludicrousfuture

SpaceX is performing a test flight of Starship SN15. The prototype will aim to be the first Starship vehicle to softly land during a high altitude flight test. Like the previous Starship prototypes, SN15 is expected to fly to approximately 10 kilometers. Updates: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52398.0 Articles: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/starship/ Shop: https://shop.nasaspaceflight.com/ 00:00:00 – NSF Intro 00:00:50 – Waiting Game Begins 00:02:00 – Waiting Game Continues 07:49:51 – Vehicles Leave Pad 08:32:12 – Recondenser 09:11:10 – Engine Chill 09:23:02 – Launch 09:28:47 – Landing 09:31:26 – This is fine 09:35:20 – Fire Extinguished 09:38:10 – Landing Nominal, Vehicle Safing Continues

On Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Starship serial number 15 (SN15) successfully completed SpaceX’s fifth high-altitude flight test of a Starship prototype from Starbase in Texas. Similar to previous high-altitude flight tests of Starship, SN15 was powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN15 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent. The Starship prototype descended under active aerodynamic control, accomplished by independent movement of two forward and two aft flaps on the vehicle. All four flaps were actuated by an onboard flight computer to control Starship’s attitude during flight and enabled precise landing at the intended location. SN15’s Raptor engines reignited as the vehicle performed the landing flip maneuver immediately before touching down for a nominal landing on the pad. These test flights of Starship are all about improving our understanding and development of a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo on long-duration interplanetary flights, and help humanity return to the Moon, and travel to Mars and beyond. Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on SN15’s successful flight and landing!