SpaceX completes first hop of Starship prototype

Another milestone for SpaceX as the company's Starship SN5 prototype made its first 150m hop on Tuesday. In the video clip below, you can see how the prototype successfully completes a "hop", which consists of a very brief flight and landing. SpaceX lighted a single Raptor engine to take the vessel about 150 meters into the air. The final version of this rocket will be used for future Mars flights. Tuesday's test shows the vessel can sustand the harsh conditions of launch and landing, and that SpaceX is starting to master the flight system. Full details at ARS Technica.

The most challenging parts of any rocket are the engine and the plumbing to reliably and rapidly feed it oxidizer and fuel. Then there are the large tanks needed to hold these liquid propellants at high pressures and ultra-cold temperatures. The trick is to build these structures as light as possible, while also capable of containing the propellants. Among the key aspects of Tuesday's test was demonstrating that Starship's stainless-steel structure could withstand the harsh environment of a launch and landing.

Elon Musk says several more hops will be performed before the company will attempt high-altitude tests.

We’ll do several short hops to smooth out launch process, then go high altitude with body flaps

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2020