Watch Super Heavy 33 Raptor engines ignition from under launch pad

SpaceX has shared a video showing the Super Heavy booster engines ignition from under the launch pad during Starship Flight 8 launch. The 90 seconds clip covers the 33 Raptor engines igniting at full power to uplift the rocket from the launch mount.

Starship’s Super Heavy booster kicks off the mission. It is a 71-meter tall, 9 meter wide. It loads with sub-cooled liquid methane and liquid oxygen. It has 33 Raptor engines that generate more than 7,590 tf of thrust at liftoff.

The clip shows the liftoff sequence after the deluge system sprayed the massive load of water and simultaneously, igniting all 33 Raptor engines. The slow motion video then shows the rocket as it starts the ascent.

SpaceX Super Heavy Booster Starship 33 Raptor Engine Ignition (Source – SpaceX)

With this much power, many X users complimented the camera, which withstand the entire shot and didn’t melt or destroyed in the process. This is quite truth to be honest and was certainly shielded with some extreme protection.

On March 6, 2025, SpaceX launched the 8th Starship Flight Test from Starbase, Texas. After leaving the launch mount, the ship achieved Max Q, followed by hot-staging.

At this time, the ship received a go from the launch director to attempt a tower catch. SpaceX has set certain parameters to attempt catch, or the booster will have to sink in the Gulf of America.

However, SpaceX successfully caught the booster between the tower chopsticks, making the third successful Super Heavy catch overall.