Starship SN9's 10km flight
These photos of Starship SN9’s flight were taken from Isla Blanca Park, on South Padre Island, TX.
Unlike SN8’s flight, I only made a single trip to South Padre Island, and I didn’t stay for sunset (so I missed out on what turned out to be a gorgeous sunset.)
I shot SN8 photos from near the auditorium, but for SN9 I decided to shoot from the jetty.
Taken moments after liftoff. SN9 is on the right, and slightly higher than SN10 at this point.
SN9 has cleared the tower (aka SN10.)
SN9 is visible in the center of frame.
Flying creatures unite!
SN9 vents liquid oxygen at apogee.
Taken moments before engine ignition and (failed) flip maneuver.
Two engines should be running, and SN9 shouldn’t be quite this close to the ground.
With only a single engine running, SN9 had too much momentum to correct with a single engine, and tipped too far the other way. At the moment of impact, SN9 was rolling and yawing far beyond the control authority of the single running engine.
The remains of SN9 continue to smoke.