SpaceX might use its launch tower and ‘chopstick arms’ to catch a returning Starship booster rocket. This is a risky feat that could damage or destroy the launch pad during its first orbital launch
FCC documents say that SpaceX may attempt a ‘catch’ maneuver for its returning Starship rocket during its first orbital launch.
‘Starship or Super Heavy could accidentally impact the launch tower, damaging or even outright destroying the skyscraper-sized structure,’ notes Teslarati.
Newly updated documents filed to the US Federal Communications Commission state that the company founded by Elon Musk may have changed its plans.
The first plan said that both stages of the rocket would end up in the ocean – with the booster landing in the Gulf of Mexico and the upper stage coming down near Hawaii after completing a partial orbit of Earth.
Newly updated documents filed to the US Federal Communications Commission suggest that the company founded by Elon Musk may have changed its plans.
However, the company’s FCC application now states that upon launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, the Super Heavy Booster will separate from the upper stage and ‘then perform a partial return and land in the Gulf of Mexico or return to Starbase and be caught by the launch tower.’