SpaceX Successfully Captures Booster Rocket [Video]

ABC News reports:

SpaceX pulled off the boldest test flight yet of its enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms. A jubilant Elon Musk called it “science fiction without the fiction part.”

At the flight director’s command, the first-stage booster flew back to the launch pad where it had blasted off seven minutes earlier.

The launch tower’s monstrous metal arms, dubbed chopsticks, caught the descending 232-foot (71-meter) stainless steel booster and gripped it tightly, dangling it well above the ground.

Read the full article.

Just incredible. @SpaceX caught a rocket.

SpaceX recovered the Super Heavy booster by catching it with Mechazilla, the launch tower “chopsticks” at Starbase. pic.twitter.com/UtqGPhDDrQ

— John Bailey (@John_Bailey) October 13, 2024

SpaceX pulled off the boldest test flight yet of its enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms. https://t.co/JGp6Y0OnBU

— WCCB Charlotte’s CW (@WCCBCharlotte) October 13, 2024