'Mars not far away': Elon Musk scripts history as SpaceX successfully catches 232-foot booster rocket in mid air
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Successful Starship Rocket Launch
SpaceX marked a major milestone on Sunday with the successful launch of its 400-foot-tall Starship rocket from Texas, highlighting advancements in reusable rocket technology.
Credit : X/SpaceX
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Launch from Texas Site
The rocket lifted off from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border, at sunrise, in the company’s most ambitious test to date. Previous attempts had faced setbacks, but this mission built on the progress made during a June flight.
Innovative Booster Catch
The highlight of the test was the successful recovery of the rocket's first-stage booster. SpaceX used mechanical arms, called "chopsticks," to catch the 232-foot booster as it returned to the launch pad just seven minutes after liftoff.
Real-Time Decision Making
The decision to attempt the booster catch was based on real-time assessments of both the booster and the launch tower. Had conditions been unsuitable, the booster would have been directed into the Gulf of Mexico instead.
Booster Return Mechanism
The mechanical arms on the launch tower caught the booster mid-descent, marking a new technological breakthrough for SpaceX in reusability, a crucial element for reducing space mission costs.
Controlled Splashdown of Spacecraft
After separating from the booster, the spacecraft continued its journey, targeting a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This part of the mission was designed to last just over an hour.
Previous Falcon 9 Recoveries
SpaceX has a history of recovering first-stage boosters from its smaller Falcon 9 rockets, which typically land on ocean platforms or concrete pads. The successful catch of the Starship booster introduces a new method for rocket recovery.
Ambitious Future Plans
SpaceX aims to use the Starship system for future Moon and Mars missions. NASA has already ordered two Starship rockets to land astronauts on the Moon in the coming decade, as SpaceX continues to refine its reusable rocket technology.