A Closer Look At SpaceX’s Starship Booster Landing

It’s now been a few days since Starship’s fourth Integrated Flight Test and the company just released some ground footage of the booster’s landing. While short, it gives more details into the exact orientation, engine use, and even proximity to the intended landing site.

This comes in addition to more comments from Musk talking about the boosters landing burn and why they might try to catch it on the next attempt. Based on the time between launches going back to IFT-1, the 5th flight could be sooner than many think. Here I will go more in-depth into the new booster footage, the launch timeline, catching challenges, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:31 - New Booster Video
3:20 - The Next Flight

[stevenrn]

“SpaceX likes to take the occasional risk”

Understatement of the month.

[schrodingerscat]

SpaceX have been landing boosters for a long time and the expertese they gained from that is obviously helping with getting the SH booster to exactly the right spot to be caught. Have to say IFT-4 was incredibly exciting to watch but seeing a booster literally get caught out of the air is going to be an insane thing to witness.

[PanioloBee]

IMO. SpaceX should do a short test hop with Heavy Booster to test the concept of catching Heavy Booster. The same goes for Starship.

[leokimvideo]

SpaceX are getting a feel for how difficult it is to perfect a heat shield. Just remember how long it took NASA to find a system for the Space Shuttle and they flew a first mission of that craft manned. I think a lot of younger folk don't appreciate how groundbreaking the Space Shuttle was considering it was developed in the 70's

[ronwatkins]

As far as I know, there was nothing which the FAA would consider a failure, so I don't think they have to submit any accident investigation reports this time.

[DeepSpaceIndustriesLOL]

I went nuts when they landed in the water and now they’re gonna make me go insane if they actually manage to catch it

[alexvives]

look at the size of that vapor cone at 0:37!

[Vytirix_RBX]

I was wondering if we had footage, especially in flight three, seeing as it got pretty close! Glad we got to see the booster from another angle; it performed spectacularly!

[feelincrispy]

I’m just happy we got 3rd person vision of it at all

[ManDom]

Its absolutely very exciting to witness SpaceX push space exploration forward

[ksrithan]

Now waiting for ground footage of the Starship.

[tonyduncan]

Wow. Do you remember when the sound level peaked? That landing peaked my eyes similarly. WOW. 😎

[gary-pietz]

I was hearing some of the media were claiming the booster was wobbly but it wasn't the booster it was the camera

[airgunningyup]

incredible, hoping to see another in 60-70 days

[r-saint]

They will launch more frequently... eventually, every day. What a treat. We'll live in GATTACA.

[Charles-Darwin]

I love the no bs takes you produce. You are a rarity on yt

[richb]

You missed that SpaceX actuated the tower arms in concert with the landing of the booster. This is a pre catch maneuver.

[MantisBubbles]

I've been waiting for this video since the day it landed. Thanks!

[andrewdillon]

Hi from new zealand, watched it live, so cool, like your extra coverage..

[jonathanmabardy]

Awesome video. I wish they had shown the actual touchdown, but it’s still awesome regardless