SpaceX successfully flies Mars prototype rocket for the first time - CNBC

SpaceX's prototype rocket "Starhopper" flies for the first time on a short flight, which saw the rocket launch and land.

@elonmusk | gif by @thesheetztweetz

SpaceX on Thursday launched and landed its "Starhopper" rocket in its first flight, a short test that saw the company take a notable step forward in its development of a next-generation rocket.

The rocket is the prototype for SpaceX's vehicle called "Starship." The company is building the enormous rocket to achieve its goal of transporting up to 100 people in space to destinations including the moon and Mars.

"Starhopper flight successful," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet.

Musk posted a video SpaceX took of the flight test from a flying drone nearby. The flight took place at SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica Beach, Texas.

The rocket visibly lifted off the ground for the first time, after months testing. SpaceX attempted the flight the night before but stopped just a few seconds after the engine fired. Although official data from Thursday's test flight has not yet been made available, SpaceX said previously that it was intending to fly Starhopper about 65 feet in the air.

Starship is built to be fully reusable, meaning the entire rocket will be able to launch, land and launch again – more akin to an airplane than a traditional rocket. Currently, SpaceX is able to land and reuse part of its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. But Starship would take that to the next level and, especially, would help lower the cost per flight of a rocket launch.

'Starhopper' back on the launchpad after the first flight

SpaceX's prototype rocket "Starhopper" stands on its launchpad after completing its first flight.

@elonmusk | gif by @thesheetztweetz

SpaceX showed official footage of Starship's development for the first time during the aborted test on Wednesday. The program has been moving along quickly. SpaceX first tested the engine, which powered Starhopper's flight, in February of this year. Known as "Raptor," the engine then reached the "power level needed" to fly Starship just a week after its first test, Musk said.

Starhopper as just one Raptor engine. The final version of Starship will have multiple Raptor engines on board, while the "Super Heavy" booster that launches it will have as many as 31 Raptor engines.

The company is steadily raising funding for both Starship and its internet satellite network, called Starlink. So far this year, SpaceX has sought more than $1.3 billion across three funding rounds, CNBC reported in June. With over $1 billion already raised, SpaceX's valuation has risen to more than $33.3 billion.

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