SpaceX captures Starship upper stage in historic first test flight recovery
SpaceX achieved a landmark breakthrough in aerospace engineering by successfully capturing its Starship spacecraft upon returning from its 15th test flight. Launched from Texas on Friday, the upper stage completed its longest orbital journey to date, circling Earth 14 times over more than 22 hours and deploying 26 Starlink satellites. On Saturday, the vehicle slipped smoothly between the mechanical "chopstick arms" above Launch Pad 2, marking the first-ever recovery of the spaceship itself in SpaceX's decade-long quest to develop a fully reusable rocket.
The catch succeeded despite the loss of the Super Heavy booster shortly after launch. SpaceX had planned to recover both stages, but the booster's engines cut off prematurely. SpaceX's Kate Tice stated that the vehicle's guidance system sensed an incorrect orientation and triggered its automated self-destruction protocol, causing the booster to explode over the Gulf of Mexico while engineers continue investigating the cause.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hailed the upper stage recovery on X as "almost magic." The test represents a vital milestone for Elon Musk's broader satellite and Mars ambitions, as well as NASA's Artemis program, which is investing billions in Starship to land astronauts on the moon later this decade and help construct a permanent lunar base.
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