SpaceX SN5 Starship Prototype Completes Historic First Test Flight
SpaceX achieves a major milestone as the full-size SN5 Starship prototype successfully completes its first uncrewed test flight, soaring 500 feet over South Texas.
SpaceX's SN5 Starship prototype successfully completes its first-ever test flight, soaring approximately 500 feet above the company's South Texas facilities near Boca Chica. This uncrewed hop marks a major milestone for the Mars-colonizing spacecraft program, as it is the first time a full-size Starship prototype takes to the skies. The stainless steel vehicle demonstrates controlled flight capabilities during this landmark August 2020 mission.
The 165-foot-tall vehicle shows off its maneuverability by translating horizontally from its launch pad to a nearby landing zone during the roughly 45-second flight. A single Raptor engine powers the prototype through its ascent and descent, while the craft successfully deploys its landing legs in preparation for touchdown. Stunning images of the flight capture the sleek rocket against the scenic backdrop of the South Texas wetlands and sky.
This successful hop clears the way for rapid iteration of the Starship design, with the SN6 prototype already preparing for a similar 500-foot flight. Future test vehicles feature upgraded configurations, including a planned three-engine prototype designed to reach altitudes of roughly 12 miles. These incremental test flights lay the essential groundwork for SpaceX's ultimate goal of transporting humans to Mars.