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SpaceX made history earlier today after it became the first company in the world to successfully catch a 232 feet tall rocket as part of a re usability attempt. The catch came after SpaceX's Starship Flight 5 today, which took off from Boca Chica, Texas, early in the morning. With Starship being caught by the tower, SpaceX has completed an important milestone in its test campaign.
All eyes are now on the second stage Starship spacecraft and whether it successfully completes a soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Starship's tower catch was its riskiest endeavor to date, and SpaceX's ability to have achieved it on the first attempt indicates the strength of its rocket design.
SpaceX Makes History & Completes Tower Catch With Starship Super Heavy Booster On Flight 5
Ahead of today's flight which took off at early morning local time in Texas, SpaceX had tested its launch tower catch arms multiple times to ensure that they would work during Flight 5. The first tests saw the firm whack and smack a test cylinder multiple times and the tests reached their climax once SpaceX lifted the Super Heavy booster at the catch position close to the top of the tower.
These tests continued before Starship's launch, and the catch attempt was one reason that SpaceX's FAA launch license suffered from a delay. During its return, the Super Heavy booster generated sonic booms, and the FAA had to take its time to analyze its impact on the surroundings. SpaceX was aware of their impact as well, since soon after Flight 4, the firm shared a detailed post on its website which explained that the sonic booms from Starship Super Heavy did not pose a threat to public safety.
SpaceX also shared ahead of today's flight that Starship's tower catch was not confirmed as teams would first evaluate the rocket during flight. If the launch director was comfortable enough for a catch, then the attempt would take place. Catching the rocket is perhaps the riskiest portion of Starship's launch and reentry profile since it risks the rocket crashing into the launch tower.
However, in perhaps what was the least likely outcome for today, not only did SpaceX's launch director give the go ahead for a tower catch, but the firm was also able to carefully maneuver the 232 feet tall Super Heavy booster to the launch tower and then between the catch arms for a successful catch on the first attempt.
This included the Super Heavy booster's 13 engines lighting up for a landing burn, and close to the tower, the base of the rocket was on fire. Since Starship Super Heavy is a developmental rocket, SpaceX has yet to iron out all the kinks on it. The next attempts should see the firm focus on its orientation during landing, as today's rocket appeared to be a bit too tilted for comfort during its catch attempt.
Mechazilla has caught the Super Heavy booster! pic.twitter.com/6R5YatSVJX
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024
About the author: Ramish is a seasoned technology writer and editor with more than a decade of experience. He specializes in semiconductor fabrication and market analysis. With a background in finance and supply chain management - via his bachelors in Finance and a micromasters in supply chain management from MIT - Ramish combines financial rigor with deep industry insight to deliver accurate and authoritative coverage.
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