SpaceX’s massive 400-foot-tall Starship rocket soared into space on November 19, marking the sixth time it has been launched. The launch, which took place at SpaceX’s Starbase site in South Texas, coincided with the International Space Station (ISS) passing overhead. Astronaut Don Pettit captured stunning photos of the event, while Sen’s 4K cameras on the ISS exterior also recorded the launch.
A nearly three-minute video posted by NASA’s ISS account on X shows the impressive plume created by the Starship as it roared off its seaside pad. The rocket is a crucial part of SpaceX’s plans to send humans to the moon and Mars, with NASA selecting it for their Artemis program. If all goes to plan, Starship will put NASA astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time in late 2026.
During its sixth flight, both stages of the rocket performed well, with the booster (Super Heavy) successfully landing in the Gulf of Mexico and the upper-stage spacecraft (Starship or Ship) touching down in the Indian Ocean. Initially, SpaceX had planned to have Super Heavy return to Starbase for a catch by the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms, but issues with communication prevented this from happening.
The successful launch brings Starship one step closer to its goal of establishing a human presence on the moon and Mars. With NASA astronauts expected to set foot on the lunar surface in late 2026, Starship is poised to play a critical role in the Artemis program.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/heres-how-spacexs-6th-starship-megarocket-launch-looked-from-the-iss-video