Interstellar Gateway Captures Starship V3 Shockwaves in 120 FPS Video After 400-Foot Test Launch
Updated
Updated · PetaPixel · Jun 3
Interstellar Gateway Captures Starship V3 Shockwaves in 120 FPS Video After 400-Foot Test Launch
1 articles · Updated · PetaPixel · Jun 3
Summary
120-fps slow-motion footage from Interstellar Gateway shows pressure waves rippling through smoke and flame as SpaceX’s 400-foot Starship V3 lifted off from Pad-2 on May 22.
Raptor exhaust traveling faster than sound made the shockwaves visible, while humid air and condensation sharpened the flickering patterns around the plume.
The video highlights SpaceX’s 12th Starship test flight, which ended in an Indian Ocean splashdown after the vehicle flew with one engine out and released mock satellites.
Starship V3’s performance matters beyond the visuals: Reuters cited analysts saying the upgraded rocket gave investors evidence the program is advancing ahead of Elon Musk’s planned $1.75 trillion SpaceX IPO.