Video capture from the space station of the recent launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket.

NASA has shared an interesting video recorded from the International Space Station (ISS) that shows the recent launch of the Starship, known as the most powerful rocket in the world. This launch took place on November 19, from SpaceX's site in Boca Chica, Texas, and represented the sixth test of the new rocket.

A few days after the flight, ISS astronaut Don Pettit published an image of the launch as seen from space. Now, a video clip has also been released. Although it was recorded from about 250 miles away and the quality is not the best, it clearly shows how the imposing Starship ascends into the sky, with the Texas coast and the Gulf of Mexico in the background.

In a statement, NASA explained that "while orbiting approximately 250 miles above Earth, external cameras aboard the ISS captured the sixth test flight of SpaceX's Starship after its launch at 4 p.m. CST on Tuesday, November 19." They also mentioned that they are collaborating with SpaceX to develop the Starship as a lunar module for the Artemis III mission, which will be the first time a crew returns to the Moon in over 50 years. Before this crewed mission, SpaceX will conduct an uncrewed lunar landing demonstration mission.

The Starship, which stands 120 meters tall, consists of two parts: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft, designed to carry crews and cargo to the Moon and potentially to Mars and beyond. Although the sixth test was deemed successful, a last-minute issue prevented the spectacular "catch" maneuver that was achieved in the fifth attempt, where mechanical arms on the launch tower secured the Super Heavy booster upon its return to Earth after moving the Starship into orbit.

This landing method allows SpaceX to quickly refurbish and reuse the booster for multiple flights, thus helping to significantly reduce the costs of space missions. SpaceX has already implemented this practice with its Falcon 9 rocket, although in that case, the first stage lands on land or on a barge.

A curious detail about the flight was a toy banana that floated in the Starship's cargo. This was not a whim of some engineer, but served as a microgravity indicator, allowing the mission team to confirm when the vehicle reached microgravity conditions.

Additionally, it was reported that the International Space Station was relocated that same day to avoid a possible collision with a piece of space debris. Operators of the Progress 89 module activated the thrusters for just over five minutes to raise the ISS's orbit, ensuring a safe distance from debris from a decommissioned military weather satellite that disintegrated in 2015.