After getting media credentials from SpaceX, I was able to place cameras at various places on SpaceX property. This camera was placed about ~600 feet from the launch pad- a VERY sketchy spot. I full expected to lose the lens at liftoff as hot exhaust and debris was sure to hit the camera at high velocities, but was hoping at least it got the shot (and my memory card survived). Luckily, the camera survived, and got this single photo of the engines at full power as the rocket lifted off. Other cameras weren't so lucky!
Details for the camera nerds: Captured with a Sony a7ii with a Sigma 600mm lens at 1/4000 f/8 ISO 100.
I'm still going through my photos, but you can see other shots I got on my website as I add them.
SpaceX’s Starship uses 33 Raptor engines, whereas NASA’s Saturn V used just 5 massive F-1 engines on its first stage.The fundamental reason for this difference is reusability. A single engine cannot throttle down deeply enough to land an almost empty, lightweight booster without bouncing back into the sky. By clustering 33 smaller engines, SpaceX can shut down 30 of them and use just 1 to 3 engines to perform precise, low-thrust vertical landings.
![image showing [OC] I got special permission from SpaceX to put a camera near the launch pad, and got this shot.](dca583c3-f012-5e27-aaa2-da3d25d9ae7e.jpg)
ajamesmccarthy on May 25th, 2026 at 16:18 UTC »
After getting media credentials from SpaceX, I was able to place cameras at various places on SpaceX property. This camera was placed about ~600 feet from the launch pad- a VERY sketchy spot. I full expected to lose the lens at liftoff as hot exhaust and debris was sure to hit the camera at high velocities, but was hoping at least it got the shot (and my memory card survived). Luckily, the camera survived, and got this single photo of the engines at full power as the rocket lifted off. Other cameras weren't so lucky!
Details for the camera nerds: Captured with a Sony a7ii with a Sigma 600mm lens at 1/4000 f/8 ISO 100.
I'm still going through my photos, but you can see other shots I got on my website as I add them.
hyderabadinawab on May 25th, 2026 at 16:23 UTC »
TIL..
SpaceX’s Starship uses 33 Raptor engines, whereas NASA’s Saturn V used just 5 massive F-1 engines on its first stage.The fundamental reason for this difference is reusability. A single engine cannot throttle down deeply enough to land an almost empty, lightweight booster without bouncing back into the sky. By clustering 33 smaller engines, SpaceX can shut down 30 of them and use just 1 to 3 engines to perform precise, low-thrust vertical landings.
Louis-Guy on May 25th, 2026 at 16:43 UTC »
This shot is just INSANE