Starship Returns From Orbit as SpaceX Makes History With Successful Rocket Catch in Texas
Reported by nytimes.com ·
A first for Starship
On Saturday afternoon, Starship came back from orbit to the place it had lifted off in South Texas. Two mechanical arms on the launch tower caught the spacecraft.
The return was the first time Starship had completed that feat. SpaceX pulled it off on its first try, overcoming a major technical hurdle for a reusable upper stage.
A broader reuse goal
SpaceX designed the Starship rocket system to be fully reusable. It is much larger than the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. Returning an upper stage from orbit is a key challenge in that effort. Starship’s successful return marked a milestone in the company’s vision.
Musk shares inspection video
Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive, posted a video on X after the landing. It showed Starship from below during part of the post-landing inspection.
Key points
- Starship returned from orbit to its South Texas launch site on Saturday.
- Two mechanical arms caught the spacecraft on the launch tower.
- SpaceX achieved the return on its first try.
- The milestone advances SpaceX’s goal of building fully reusable rockets.