SpaceX successfully catches Starship and makes history
The company's spacecraft returned to its Texas launchpad in dramatic fashion — by carefully lowering itself until two metal arms attached to the launch tower could secure it.
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft successfully returned to its Texas launchpad on Saturday, marking the first recovery of the rocket system's centerpiece vessel. After orbiting Earth 14 times for over 22 hours, the spacecraft was lowered until two metal arms attached to the launch tower could secure it, according to NPR. The flight followed the deployment of 26 Starlink satellites at an altitude of approximately 161 miles.
The mission was the 15th test flight for the rocket system. While the Starship upper stage completed its return, the plan to recover both stages of the rocket simultaneously was unsuccessful. Hindustan Times - World News reports that the Super Heavy booster's guidance, navigation, and control system aborted the capture attempt after the stages separated, causing it to divert to the Gulf of Mexico where it self-destructed.
Channel News Asia noted that the successful return of the upper stage represents a key engineering milestone in the effort to develop a fully reusable rocket. This development is intended to support SpaceX's satellite business and ambitions for moon and Mars missions.
Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, Channel News Asia, CNA - Business, Hindustan Times - World News, France 24 — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
