Nov 20 2024, 09:20 AM EST Share on Facebook Starship Ignited Raptor Engines For the First Time in Orbit That being said, the highlight of this mission was the second-stage rocket, Starship, as after separation, it ignited one of its six Raptor engines while in orbit to demonstrate its control which is essential to deorbit maneuvers. Through this, Starship was able to alter its flight path as it began its reentry, with the Stainless Steel spacecraft undergoing a flip maneuver, landing burn, and yet another splashdown on the Indian Ocean. According to Elon Musk, SpaceX's Flight 8 may conduct a catch attempt of the second-stage ship. Elon Musk and SpaceX's Starship Progression Elon Musk and SpaceX have been celebrated this year for their immense success with the Starship program, and the company's hard work is now being recognized as it saw significant progression compared to early 2024's tests. After a successful Flight 4, the company went on to continue its streak by nailing its 5th test flight where the company was able to catch Super Heavy using Mechazilla, followed by a splashdown by the Ship. Because of this, there have been many speculations that SpaceX will secure its operational license for the Starship rockets to fulfill real missions and move out of its long-running testing phase. As the saying goes, there is "no rest for the wicked," and SpaceX immediately jumped on the chance to further its progression on the Starship by confirming its Flight 6 weeks after its fifth mission. Many reports and speculations claimed that SpaceX is ramping up towards actual use of its Starship for future missions because of its recent successes, and the company is adding another one to its belt. Flight 6 may have not seen the same catch for Super Heavy, but it took this opportunity to demonstrate the Ship's Raptor engines used in space, and this helped alter its trajectory for yet another triumphant splashdown.