In a groundbreaking test, SpaceX successfully catches its Super Heavy booster back on the launch pad using robotic arms, a first for the company.
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| SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster lands safely on the launch pad, caught by robotic arms—a major step in reusable rocket technology. Image Courtesy: SpaceX |
Washington, USA, October 13, 2024:
In a major milestone, SpaceX launched its fifth Starship test flight from Texas on Sunday, executing an unprecedented feat: catching the returning booster with mechanical arms at the launch pad. The test marked a significant step forward for the space exploration company, which aims to make space travel more sustainable by reusing rocket parts.
The mission began at 7:25 a.m. local time (12:25 GMT) as the Super Heavy booster lifted off from SpaceX’s launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The booster propelled the second-stage Starship rocket into space before detaching at an altitude of approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles). While the Starship continued its journey towards the Indian Ocean, where it will attempt a water landing, the Super Heavy booster returned to the launch site.
For the first time, SpaceX employed a novel recovery method: two robotic arms on the launch tower, known as “chopstick arms,” were used to catch the booster mid-air as it descended. This new technique aims to speed up the process of reusing rocket boosters, potentially increasing the frequency of launches and reducing costs.
Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, celebrated the achievement with a post on social media platform X, saying, “The tower has caught the rocket!!” This successful catch is seen as a breakthrough in reusable rocket technology, as previous Starship flights had ended in explosions or ocean landings.
SpaceX engineers spent years preparing for this catch attempt, with months dedicated to testing and refining the intricate system. The flight director made the final decision to attempt the catch in real-time, assessing that the booster and launch tower were stable enough for the high-risk maneuver.
SpaceX has a history of successfully recovering the first stages of its smaller Falcon 9 rockets, which typically land on floating platforms or nearby concrete slabs. However, landing a booster back on the same launch pad marks a significant technological leap.
The Starship, which SpaceX envisions as a vessel for deep-space missions, including NASA’s upcoming lunar landings, aims to carry both crew and cargo to destinations like the Moon and, eventually, Mars. This test flight also showcased software upgrades and improvements to the Starship’s heat shield, a response to issues encountered during the June mission.
SpaceX has faced recent challenges, including regulatory disputes with the Federal Aviation Administration. Musk has criticized the agency for alleged overreach, escalating tensions as SpaceX continues its ambitious spaceflight agenda.
As SpaceX pursues its goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species, this successful catch adds another milestone to the company’s history, demonstrating the potential for Starship to revolutionize space travel and exploration.