SpaceX pulls off first-ever spaceship ‘catch’ as Starship spacecraft returns from orbit | Video

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Starship’s successful return and catch by its launch tower advances SpaceX’s goal of building a fully reusable rocket and supports future lunar ambitions. | World News

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft returned after a journey in orbit on Saturday and was successfully caught by the mechanical arms of its launch tower in Texas. This marked a major technical achievement as it was the first-ever "catch" of a spacecraft.

The milestone also demonstrated the potential of fully reusable rockets, which could make space travel more affordable.

The 171-foot-tall spacecraft descended through thick clouds over SpaceX's Starbase launch facility before reigniting its engines to turn upright and slowly approach the launch tower. Its two small fittings near the top were caught by the mechanical arms, allowing the spacecraft to hang above the ground, as reported by news agency Reuters.

The spacecraft had completed 14 orbits around Earth before returning to the same facility from which it had taken off on Friday. It was charred from the heat of atmospheric re-entry but remained stable after its engines shut down.

SpaceX mission commentator Dan Huot described the achievement as a major breakthrough, according to Reuters. "That was the missing link, the holy grail of spaceflight," Huot said.

Starship lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas on Friday for its 15th flight. During the mission, it reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites at an altitude of around 161 miles (260 km).

According to SpaceX, the Super Heavy booster initially lifted the rocket using 33 Raptor engines before separating from Starship through a hot-staging manoeuvre. The spacecraft then continued its journey using six Raptor engines.

The booster attempted to return to the launch site but could not complete the planned recovery. Its boostback burn ended earlier than expected because of low fuel mass, according to SpaceX.

The vehicle subsequently diverted to an offshore landing location following an automated abort triggered by its guidance, navigation and control system.

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