SpaceX recently released a new animation showcasing the Super Heavy booster of their Starship rocket. The animation depicts the Super Heavy stage returning to Earth after liftoff and being caught midair by the “chopstick” arms of the launch tower at the Starbase site in South Texas. This innovative method of landing the booster directly on the launch mount will allow SpaceX to refurbish and relaunch the vehicle more efficiently, according to Elon Musk.
Musk expressed his excitement about the possibility of trying to catch the booster with the “mechazilla” arms during the next flight. The company has already taken steps towards this goal, as shown in a video posted on June 27 of the chopstick arms closing around a stationary Super Heavy on the launch mount.
Starship has undergone four test flights so far, with each mission showing improvements. The most recent mission successfully achieved its goals of bringing both the Super Heavy and upper stage back to Earth for ocean splashdowns. SpaceX is developing Starship to transport people and cargo to distant destinations such as the moon and Mars, with a focus on reusability to revolutionize spaceflight.
NASA has selected Starship as the first crewed lander for its Artemis moon program, with plans for a crewed mission to the moon’s south pole in late 2025. The rapid progress of Starship’s development and its potential for space exploration have generated significant interest and excitement in the space community.
Michael Wall, a Senior Space Writer with Space.com, has been closely following the developments of SpaceX’s Starship program. His expertise in space exploration and his passion for sharing the latest news and updates in the field have made him a valuable resource for space enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of space exploration, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any news tips or comments.
