technology ·
SpaceX to attempt double catch of huge Starship rocket
Elon Musk's company will use the mechanical arms - nicknamed chopsticks - on its launch tower to grab the rocket parts mid-air as they return to Earth.
If successful, this will be the first full recovery of a rocket that's been to space, paving the way for making Starship reusable so it can fly repeatedly. Nasa will be closely watching the flight: the SpaceX rocket is set to play a vital part in its Artemis programme, which will see astronauts land on the Moon. After six and a half minutes, the first planned catch will be attempted when the bottom part of the rocket - the Super Heavy booster - returns to the launch tower.
The top part of the rocket, called the Ship, will continue its journey to space and deploy 26 satellites. These will form part of the Starlink constellation that provides high speed internet from space. The Ship is then due to complete 14 orbits around the Earth before returning for the second catch attempt about 22 and a half hours after taking off. Until now, SpaceX has managed to catch the Super Heavy Booster on three earlier test flights.
