SpaceX pulls off first-ever spaceship ‘catch’ as Starship spacecraft returns from orbit | Video
Starship’s successful return and catch by its launch tower advances SpaceX’s goal of building a fully reusable rocket and supports future lunar ambitions.
SpaceX has achieved a significant milestone by successfully returning its Starship spacecraft to Earth after a journey in orbit, marking the first-ever catch of a spacecraft. The 171-foot-tall spacecraft completed 14 orbits around Earth before descending through thick clouds over SpaceX's Starbase launch facility in Texas. Its mechanical arms caught the spacecraft using two small fittings near the top, allowing it to hang above the ground.
The spacecraft had been launched on Friday for its 15th flight, during which it deployed 26 Starlink satellites at an altitude of around 161 miles (260 km) and reached orbit. The successful recovery demonstrates the potential of fully reusable rockets, which could make space travel more affordable. SpaceX mission commentator Dan Huot described the achievement as a major breakthrough and the missing link, or holy grail, of spaceflight.
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