SpaceX’s Starship was caught by launch tower arms after returning from space, while the booster was destroyed over the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX’s Starship returned to Earth on Saturday and was caught in midair by giant mechanical arms at the launch pad where its journey began 22 hours earlier. It was the first-ever capture of a Starship flying back from space.
The 407-foot (124-metre) rocket blasted off late Friday afternoon from SpaceX’s Starship base near the U.S.-Mexican border. The upper-stage spacecraft separated from its booster, reached orbit, and released 26 advanced Starlink satellites. It completed 14 laps around Earth at 165 miles (265 kilometres) up, with live views streaming down via Starlink.
The spacecraft lowered itself upright at the launch pad, supported by the arms of the launch tower. SpaceX commentator Dan Huot said, “Can you believe it?” and “Look at her! Baby, she’s back!” Elon Musk congratulated his “incredible team.”
The first-stage booster exploded shortly after liftoff. SpaceX’s Kate Tice said its engines stopped firing too soon on the way back down. The booster’s guidance system sensed it was not in the right position and automatically initiated the watery detour and self-destruction. Wreckage remained in the Gulf of Mexico, cordoned off by buoys. Engineers are still investigating the cause.
NASA welcomed the news. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said via X, “It was almost magic,” and “Making more believers by the day ... one step closer to (emojis of the moon and the U.S. flag).”
SpaceX officials said Saturday’s catch demonstrates the full reusability of Starship, crucial for rapid and low-cost recycling. The company had already made three previous booster catches. SpaceX expects to begin launching Starships from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center within the next few months.
The capture shows progress toward reusable Starship flights. NASA is using Starship for Artemis moon missions, and SpaceX plans to use the vehicle for future Mars travel.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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SpaceX’s Starship upper stage was caught by mechanical arms at its Texas launch pad after returning from orbit, while the first-stage booster exploded shortly after liftoff.
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