Abigail Manbeck
News Editor
Recently, a SpaceX rocket was launched into space, but there was a different landing for the booster of the rocket this time. This rocket is considered to be “the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built,” according to Space.com. This rocket is called the Starship.
On Oct. 13, the Starship, which is a 400-foot-tall rocket took off for the fifth time. It took off at 8:25 a.m., in South Texas.
The booster, which is called Super Heavy, is the first stage and was in the plans to be returned to Earth and grabbed by the “chopstick” arms that are attached to the launch tower. It was to be a “bold and unprecedented maneuver,” as stated in Space.com.
After liftoff, the booster took about seven minutes to come back, and it completed what was called a bull’s-eye landing. The booster hovered by the Mechazilla launch tower and then the “chopstick” arms grabbed it.
SpaceX manager of Quality Systems Engineering, Kate Tice said to Space.com, “This is a day for the engineering history books. This is absolutely insane! On the first-ever attempt, we have successfully caught the Super Heavy booster back at the launch tower.”
A spokesperson from SpaceX, Dan Huot also commented to Space.com, “Even in this day and age, what we just saw — that looked like magic.”
Starship is being used to eventually help to settle Mars and the moon, and in time the ship is to be fully reusable, as it was designed to be.
It seems that the Super Heavy booster’s successful landing is a step in the right direction for SpaceX and the success of the rocket Starship.