On Sunday, SpaceX achieved a remarkable feat during its most daring test flight yet of the massive Starship rocket. For the first time, they successfully caught the returning booster at the launch pad using mechanical arms.
A thrilled Elon Musk described the event as “science fiction without the fiction part,” highlighting the significance of the achievement.
The impressive Starship, which stands nearly 400 feet (121 meters) tall, launched at sunrise from the southernmost tip of Texas, near the border with Mexico. Similar to its four predecessors that were destroyed, either shortly after liftoff or whilst plunging into the sea, the earlier Starship flights had met with unfortunate ends. The previous launch in June, however, was the most successful until now, completing its journey without explosion.
This time, Musk aimed to raise the stakes for the Starship, which he envisions using to transport people to the moon and eventually Mars.
After seven minutes of flight, the first-stage booster returned to the launch pad, where it had taken off. The launch tower’s massive mechanical arms, nicknamed “chopsticks,” caught the descent of the 232-foot (71-meter) stainless steel booster, holding it securely above ground.
“The tower has caught the rocket!!” Musk declared via X. “Today marked a significant step toward making life multiplanetary.”
The jubilation among SpaceX employees was palpable, with many cheering, jumping, and celebrating the moment. NASA also congratulated SpaceX; Administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged the achievement and its implications for future lunar missions.
According to Nelson, continued Starship testing is crucial for preparing for astronaut landings at the moon’s south pole as part of NASA’s Artemis program, a new initiative building off the historic Apollo missions that placed twelve men on the lunar surface over fifty years ago.
“This is a memorable day for engineering,” expressed SpaceX engineering manager Kate Tice from the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
“What we witnessed today is pure magic,” said Dan Huot, a SpaceX spokesperson, visibly excited as he spoke from the launch and landing site. “I am still shaking.”
With real-time manual control, the flight director decided whether to attempt the risky catch. SpaceX ensured that both the booster and launch tower were in stable condition; otherwise, the booster would have ended up in the gulf like its predecessors. Thankfully, all systems were deemed ready for the catch.
Meanwhile, the spacecraft launched by the booster embarked on a journey around the globe, reaching an altitude of over 130 miles (212 kilometers). Approximately one hour after launch, it accomplished a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean, adding to SpaceX’s list of achievements for the day. Footage from a nearby buoy displayed flames erupting from the ocean upon impact, confirming the spacecraft had successfully landed at the designated point before sinking as expected.
“What a day,” Huot reiterated. “Let’s gear up for the next one.”
The prior June flight fell short, with issues causing parts to detach. SpaceX utilized this experience to upgrade the software and make the necessary enhancements to the heat shield and thermal tiles.
For nearly nine years, SpaceX has successfully recovered first-stage boosters from its smaller Falcon 9 rockets after launching satellites and crew into orbit from Florida or California. However, those boosters typically land on floating ocean platforms or concrete slabs, not directly on their launch pads.
Recycling Falcon 9 boosters has significantly increased SpaceX’s launch frequency and saved millions. Musk aims to achieve similar success with Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, featuring 33 methane-fueled engines on the booster alone.
Upon inspection, Musk reported that the captured Starship booster appeared to be in good condition, noting only slight warping on some of the outer engines due to heat and aerodynamic stresses. He reassured that these minor issues could be easily rectified.
As part of its goals for this decade, NASA has requested two Starships to facilitate astronaut landings on the moon. SpaceX plans to use the Starship for transporting people and supplies to the moon and, eventually, Mars.
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