A SpaceX booster rocket has returned to earth and been caught by giant robotic arms – following a successful launch of the company’s Starship spacecraft.
It was the first attempt to bring the rocket’s Super Heavy booster back to the launch tower.
After separating from the Starship at a height of 46 miles (74km), it returned to Boca Chica in Texas, where it was grabbed and clamped in place using what are described as “chopsticks”.
Arguably, they look more like metal arms, or giant pincers. There is a video demonstration in the tweet below.
Space X owner Elon Musk said on X, which he also owns: “The tower has caught the rocket!!”
The Starship, meanwhile, will land in the Indian Ocean, west of Australia, following its fifth test flight from a launch pad on the border with Mexico.
Starship and Super Heavy are designed to carry crew and cargo to the moon and beyond – and be reusable.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the launch only yesterday, weeks earlier than expected.
Previously, the FAA said a decision on Starship 5 was not expected until late November.
