Launch tower's 'chopsticks' catch descending rocket booster as SpaceX launches Starship
- by CBC.ca
- Oct 13, 2024
- 0 Comments
- 0 Likes Flag 0 Of 5
Posted: Oct 13, 2024 9:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
SpaceX's mega rocket booster returns to the launch pad, where it was captured by metal arms during a test flight Sunday in Boca Chica, Texas. (Sergio Flores/AFP/Getty Images)
Social Sharing
SpaceX on Sunday launched its fifth Starship test flight from Texas and returned the rocket's towering first-stage booster back to land for the first time, achieving a novel recovery method involving large metal arms.
The rocket's Super Heavy first-stage booster lifted off at 8:25 a.m. ET from SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas, launch facilities, sending the second-stage Starship rocket on a path in space bound for an ocean splashdown.
An hour later, the empty spacecraft that was launched atop the booster made a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean as planned, adding to the day's success.
What questions do you have for Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield? He's our Ask Me Anything guest this Sunday on Cross Country Checkup. Fill out this form and you could appear on the Oct. 13 show.
The Super Heavy booster, after separating from the Starship booster some 74 kilometres in altitude, returned to the same area from which it was launched to make its landing attempt, aided by two robotic arms, dubbed chopsticks, attached to the launch tower.
SpaceX had said that both the 71-metre booster and launch tower had to be in good, stable condition. Otherwise, it was going to end up in the gulf like the previous ones.
Please first to comment
Related Post
Stay Connected
Tweets by elonmuskTo get the latest tweets please make sure you are logged in on X on this browser.
Sponsored
Popular Post
Tesla: Buy This Dip, Energy Growth And Margin Recovery Are Vastly Underappreciated
28 ViewsJul 29 ,2024