Starship Flight 6: Engine Relight, Aborted Catch, Ship Splashdown
The short version
SpaceX's sixth Starship flight test launched from Starbase on November 19, 2024. The Super Heavy booster lifted off with all 33 Raptor engines, but the catch attempt was aborted after automated health checks of tower hardware, and it splashed down softly in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship relit a Raptor engine in space, survived reentry and made a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Questions this video answers
When did Starship's sixth flight test launch?
November 19, 2024, from Starbase.
Was the Super Heavy booster caught?
No. Automated health checks of critical hardware on the launch and catch tower triggered an abort of the catch attempt. The booster performed a pre-planned divert maneuver, a landing burn and a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
Did the ship relight an engine in space?
Yes. The ship reignited a single Raptor engine in space, demonstrating capabilities needed for a ship deorbit burn before fully orbital missions.
How did the ship's flight end?
The ship made it through reentry and executed a flip, landing burn and soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
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