google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

SpaceX launches Starship and catches its Super Heavy booster for the first time

SpaceX launched Starship for its fifth flight test at about 8:25AM ET from its South Texas launch site. The company succeeded in returning the Starship Super Heavy booster to its landing pad, where it was “caught” using arms on the launch tower that SpaceX refers to as the “chopsticks.”

The catch was a first for the booster, which the company hadn’t returned without incident before its previous flight test in June. The company’s next task is to return Starship, which is expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean, as it did before.

Starship’s booster being caught by its launch tower “chopsticks.”
Screenshot: SpaceX livestream

Liftoff was delayed slightly while it cleared boats out of its launch range, pushing the flight test to the edge of its 30-minute launch window. The Federal Aviation Administration gave SpaceX approval for the test flight on Saturday, October 12th. It had originally expected to clear the fifth Starship test in November, but the FAA and its partner agencies reportedly carried out their assessments faster than anticipated.

Views: 1

Advertisements

Check Also

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 3 #883

Today’s Strands puzzle is a stumper, with some difficult clues. If you need hints and …

ShinyHunters sextortion email uses Carnival breach to target victims

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Wayne P. of Evangeline, Louisiana, opened an …

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 3, #1871

Today’s Wordle answer is a common word, but the letters are a bit tough to …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime