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SpaceX successfully caught its massive Super Heavy rocket booster using giant mechanical arms.
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The booster, as tall as a 20-storey building, was caught after separating from the Starship rocket.
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This achievement brings SpaceX closer to its goal of creating a fully reusable rocket for missions to the moon and Mars.
SpaceX achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, catching its massive Super Heavy rocket booster with giant mechanical arms. This was the fifth test flight of SpaceX’s new Starship rocket, designed for missions to the moon and Mars. The successful catch demonstrates a significant engineering accomplishment.
During the test, the Super Heavy booster launched from SpaceX’s Boca Chica site and sent the Starship rocket into space. After separating, the booster returned to the launch pad, firing three engines to slow down. The giant arms attached to the launch tower grabbed the booster, securing it safely.
The test also demonstrated the Starship rocket’s capabilities, reaching 17,000 miles per hour and a height of 89 miles above Earth. Although the rocket eventually exploded in the Indian Ocean, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hailed the landing as “precisely on target.” This success paves the way for SpaceX’s goal of creating a fully reusable rocket.
SpaceX’s achievement comes after receiving approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just a day earlier. The company’s innovative approach to rocket technology brings it closer to exploring the moon and Mars. With this milestone, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and reusable rocket technology.
The tower has caught the rocket!!
pic.twitter.com/CPXsHJBdUh— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 13, 2024
Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria had to be met prior to catching the Super Heavy booster. Thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with catch on our first attempt. pic.twitter.com/6wa5v6xHI0
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024
