SpaceX succeeds in catching the launcher of its Starship megarocket in flight, an unprecedented feat

Mission accomplished. The space company SpaceX managed, on Sunday October 13, to carry out a unique and spectacular maneuver: catching up with the first stage of its Starship megarocket using immense mechanical arms, during a new test flight which could represent a decisive step towards the reuse of this heavy launcher.

Takeoff of this 5th Starship test flight took place at 7:25 a.m. local time (2:25 p.m. in Paris) from the company’s Starbase space base, in the far south of Texas in the United States. The rocket consists of the Super Heavy first stage and, above it, the Starship, which by extension gives its name to the entire launcher. Super Heavy alone is some 70 meters tall (the complete rocket is 120).

During each flight, Super Heavy detaches from the ship after propelling it using its 33 powerful engines. Until now, it was going to end its journey in the sea, but SpaceX this time managed to bring it back to its launch pad, around seven minutes after takeoff. Once braked and before he touched the ground, mechanical arms installed on the launch tower, nicknamed “the wands”, closed on him and immobilized him, as can be seen in the video broadcast on X. For its part, the Starship will continue its flight until landing in the Indian Ocean. It had for the first time successfully landed gently in this ocean during the previous test flight, four months ago.

“SpaceX engineers spent years preparing for the capture attempt”the company wrote. “Tens of thousands of hours” were devoted by the technicians “putting in place the necessary infrastructure to maximize our chances of success”she added.