SpaceX successfully returned the Super Heavy booster to Earth after the fifth Starship flight

SpaceX has reached a major milestone in its plans to build a fully reusable system from its Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster. On Sunday morning, the Super Heavy booster returned safely to the launch pad after launch and was captured by the mechanical «arms» of the launch tower – an incredible accomplishment.

The Super Heavy booster returned safely to the launch pad after launch and was captured by the mechanical «arms» of the launch tower – an incredible achievement.

Super Heavy returns to the launch pad

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This event took place during Starship’s fifth flight and marks a significant step toward reusing the launch vehicle. The launch took place at 8:25 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) from SpaceX’s base in Boca Chica, Texas. While SpaceX already has plenty of experience in recovering and reusing Falcon 9 boosters, the company took an entirely new approach to capture the Super Heavy.

Super Heavy.

Unlike the Falcon 9, which typically lands on an unmanned barge in the ocean, the Super Heavy returned directly to the launch pad. The booster had to fall neatly into the narrow gap between the «arms» of the tower, which posed a serious risk: any mistake could have caused the tower to collapse. However, everything went well, and footage from the test flight shows the gas pedal accurately «parked» in place, prompting a standing ovation in the observation room.

At the end of the test flight, the gas pedal was accurately «parked» in place, prompting a standing ovation in the observation room.

Starship flight continues

After separating from the booster, the Starship rocket continued its flight for about another hour. As planned, it completed its landing in the Indian Ocean at 9:30 a.m. ET. It is important to note that the entire Starship transportation system, consisting of the Super Heavy first stage and Starship second stage, is designed to be reusable.

This successful return of the Super Heavy is a key milestone toward SpaceX’s goal of achieving its reusable space system, which will significantly reduce launch costs and enable more frequent missions into space.

The Starship’s successful return is a key milestone toward SpaceX’s goal of building a reusable space system that will significantly reduce launch costs and enable more frequent missions into space.

Starship and Super Heavy: The Future of Spaceflight

Starship and Super Heavy represent critical elements of SpaceX’s ambitious deep space exploration program. The company plans not only to send humans to the Moon and Mars, but also to use these systems for commercial launches and cargo delivery in orbit. The reusability of the system can significantly reduce launch costs, making space more affordable for government programs and private companies alike.

Starship, as a second stage, is also a multipurpose space platform capable of both cargo and manned missions. It is designed to be reusable, making it revolutionary in the space technology market. In turn, the Super Heavy booster, as the first stage, is responsible for launching Starship into orbit, and its reusability significantly increases the cost-effectiveness of the entire system.

Perspectives and importance of this achievement

SpaceX has been working for several years to make Starship and Super Heavy not just reusable, but easily recoverable for subsequent launches. The successful capture of the booster by the mechanical «arms» of the launch tower was a critical step in that direction. This achievement confirms SpaceX’s high level of precision and technological advancement, bringing the company closer to realizing its primary goal of regular missions to the Moon and Mars.

Further testing and flights of Starship will focus on improving all aspects of the system. SpaceX will continue to test and ramp up launches to bring its technology to perfection and make spaceflight more affordable and cost-effective.

SpaceX will continue to test and ramp up launches to bring its technology to perfection and make spaceflight more accessible and cost-effective.