SpaceX Steps Toward ‘Aircraft-Like Ops’ With Starship Booster Catch

Irene Klotz October 18, 2024

To the delight and surprise of SpaceX and spectators watching the fifth Starship-Super Heavy flight test, the 23-story booster, powered by three of its 33 Raptor engines, made a precision flight back to its launch tower, where it was snared midair by two chopstick-like arms. It was SpaceX’s first attempt to return a Super Heavy booster.

Credit: John Kraus Photos

With the successful catch of a Super Heavy booster on the first attempt and on-target splashdown of the Starship upper stage, SpaceX turned a corner in proving that its new space transport is on track to become a fully reusable system that could cut launch costs substantially. There is a “good...

Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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