Super Heavy coming in for catch after launching Starship Flight 5!
They Caught the Booster!!!Timelapse B12 post launch: from the landing catch, to readjustment of the position on the chopsticks, to finally being lowered back onto the OLM. @NASASpaceflightStarbase Live nsf.live/starbase
Once SpaceX achieves reuse of the booster stage, which is inevitable, the world's largest rocket will be mostly reusable. Upper stage reuse will take some time, but since SpaceX can build ships at a high rate, it doesn't matter in the near term.
Exactly. Starship booster recovery via tower catch was the single biggest obstacle to prove viability of the program.
Launch and return are fundamental techniques for Starship’s fully and rapidly reusable design
Launch of Starship's fifth flight test
Is B12 charmed, or what? Caught, lowered to OLM, seated (without any stabilizers at all...chopstick ones or those usually on the OLM), AND the BQD connected? Wow!
Aerial photo of B12 shortly after it was caught!Could we be living in a turning point for humanity?
I asked @FAANews if any investigation would be required as a result of @SpaceX IFT-5. They replied “The FAA assessed the operations of the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Flight 5 mission that launched from Boca Chica, Texas, on Oct. 13, 2024. All flight events for both the Starship vehicle and the Super Heavy booster occurred within the scope of planned and authorized activities.”So, no investigation.10:56 AM · Oct 13, 2024
Just inspected the Starship booster, which the arms have now placed back in its launch mount. Looks great!A few outer engine nozzles are warped from heating & some other minor issues, but these are easily addressed.Starship is designed to achieve reflight of its rocket booster ultimately within an hour after liftoff. The booster returns within ~5 minutes, so the remaining time is reloading propellant and placing a ship on top of the booster.
They did the thing… holy hellSoaking in all of the feelings and emotions from today - without risk, there is no progress. But even if we fail…what better way is there to live? 📸 - @NASASpaceflight
Hope some of those engines get sent to McGregor. Flight-proven Raptors put through their paces on the test stand will be amazing data points for future reusability.
💯
Pad is still not ready for occupation. But the booster transport ring out on the road won't stop a patrol vehicle from driving underneath it.
Too many to choose from. Today’s moments are forever etched into the memories of millions.
FLIGHT 5 🚀📸: me for @TLPN_Official
Booster 12, your chariot has arrived!Booster Transport Stand arriving at Pad A.nsf.live/starbase
