Part 6/10:
Meanwhile, the star of the show—the Starship spacecraft—was performing impressively. Following engine cutoff, it entered orbit, with live feeds confirming it was operationally nominal and in the correct orbit for its planned mission. The spacecraft’s re-entry into Earth's atmosphere was meticulously monitored, with views from multiple cameras showing the fiery entry and controlled descent.
Starship’s re-entry phase commanded particular attention. The vehicle was engaging its flaps to control its descent, demonstrating an improved, more precise re-entry compared to previous flights. From about 45 kilometers above Earth's surface, the spacecraft began its glide toward the ocean, executing a burn to slow down further and prepare for splashdown.