The story so far
- SpaceX Set to Attempt Risky 'Holy Grail' Rocket Catch21 sources
- SpaceX Booster Explodes as Starship Reaches Orbit27 sources
- SpaceX Catches Starship With Launch Pad Arms After OrbitYou are hereLatest
Updated 2m ago · Science
SpaceX Catches Starship With Launch Pad Arms After Orbit
SpaceX caught its Starship spacecraft in midair with mechanical arms at its Texas launch pad Saturday. It was the first recovery of a Starship returning from orbit.
- 14 orbits completed, up from one to two on the prior flight.
- 26 Starlink satellites deployed during the flight.
- 165 miles was the spacecraft's altitude while circling Earth.
- 15th full-scale Starship flight since 2023, and its second orbital trip.
Why it matters: SpaceX officials said the catch demonstrates Starship's full reusability. Musk sees the rocket as central to SpaceX's satellite business and plans for the moon and Mars.
- NASA is paying billions for Starship to land Artemis crews on the moon.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote on X that the catch was "almost magic."
How 22 sources split on this story
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Mixed
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
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Coverage by lean
22 sources · 23 articles · 54% Center coverage
Center coverage, 12 sources: The center presents the capture as a historic milestone for reusable rockets and NASA's moon plans.
NPR2hSpaceX successfully catches Starship and makes historyDeutsche Welle2hSpaceX carries out first-ever spaceship captureAssociated Press2hSpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic firstCTV News2hSpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic firstFrance 243hSpaceX's Starship set for return to Earth after failed booster catchJerusalem Post0mSpaceX achieves first Starship spacecraft tower catch following milestone 14-orbit Starlink missionMarketWatch20mSpaceX successfully catches Starship rocket in huge milestone for the space industryPBS NewsHour2hSpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic firstThe National Desk46mSpaceX catches Starship after orbit in historic first as booster explodes over GulfTimes of Israel46mIn world first, SpaceX successfully recovers spaceship that orbited EarthWFLA News Channel 82hSpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic firstYahoo News2hSpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first
Left coverage, 5 sources: The left, running AP's report, frames the catch as a dramatic first while noting the booster's failed recovery.
HuffPost2hSpaceX’s Starship Returns From Orbit And Is Captured By Launch Pad Arms In A Dramatic FirstThe Independent2hSpaceX Starship returns to Earth in dramatic catch by launch pad arms, in photosMediaite1h‘Never Happened Before!’ Excited CNN Reporter Geeks Out As SpaceX ‘Catches’ Massive RocketPolitical Wire2hSpaceX’s Starship Returns From Orbit and Is CaughtThe Guardian1hSpaceX’s Starship returns to launch pad from orbit in victory for company
Right5 sources
Just the News1dSpaceX Starship catches spacecraft returning from orbit in historic featNewsmax3hSpaceX Starship Returns to Earth in Historic Midair CatchRedState6hStunning Space Views, Then Historic Achievement As Starship Is Caught by MechazillaThe Washington Times2hSpaceX's Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic firstWashington Examiner56mSpaceX's Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first
What’s next: SpaceX's Kate Tice said the booster's engines stopped firing too soon on descent. Its guidance system then triggered self-destruction, and engineers are still investigating the cause.
- SpaceX expects to begin Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center within months.
- NASA is targeting 2028 at the earliest for Artemis IV's moon landing.
- What caused the booster engines to shut down early?
- Will the booster failure affect the timeline for Florida launches?
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