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 fifth Starship test flight took place at 7:25 a.m. (local time) from the company’s private base in southern Texas in the United States. Seven minutes later, after propelling the Starship using its 33 powerful engines, the Super Heavy launcher returned to its launch pad, where mechanical arms installed on the launch tower, nicknamed Mechazilla, were launched. closed on him and immobilized him.

Until now, the launcher, which alone measures some 70 m high (the complete rocket is 120 m), was going to end its journey in the sea. “SpaceX engineers spent years preparing for the capture attempt”wrote the company, rejoicing at this unprecedented feat. For its part, the Starship continued 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.