Musk says SpaceX will attempt catching Starship and booster for first time next month
A recovery attempt ahead
Musk said SpaceX would attempt the catch next month during the company’s third quarter earnings report Tuesday. He said the aim is to recover the entire orbital launch system.
Musk called the effort a major technological milestone. He also said the outcome was uncertain, though he considered success more likely than failure on the next flight.
How Starship is designed
Starship consists of two stages: the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. Together, they stand approximately 120 to 124 meters tall and measure 9 meters in diameter.
The vehicle is powered by Raptor engines that burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen. Starship was introduced in 2018 and was designed to return to its launch site. At the site, mechanical arms known as “chopsticks” are intended to catch the vehicle mid-air.
What happened last flight
One Raptor engine shut down prematurely, and mission control adjusted the flight to continue on the remaining engines. SpaceX ended the planned 10-hour, six-orbit mission after about three hours and two orbits.
Key points
- SpaceX plans to attempt catching Starship and its Super Heavy booster next month.
- Musk said success is more likely than not, but not guaranteed.
- The previous flight ended with both stages splashing down in the ocean.
- Starship is designed to return to its launch site for a catch by mechanical arms.