SpaceX makes history as 'Mechazilla' successfully catches returning Starship booster

SpaceX successfully completed a landmark achievement during its fifth Starship test flight on October 13, 2024. The company's Super Heavy booster was caught mid-air by mechanical arms—referred to as “Mechazilla” by SpaceX founder Elon Musk—after launching from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. This marked the first time in spaceflight history that a booster was retrieved in this manner, showcasing the company's progress toward rapid rocket reusability.

SpaceX's livestream featured the booster’s controlled descent to the launchpad, where the mechanical "chopsticks" safely captured the rocket. A SpaceX spokesperson described the event as “a day for the engineering history books.” Musk celebrated the achievement, posting on social media: "The tower has caught the rocket!!”

The mission, which launched at 7:25 a.m. ET, is part of SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to make space travel more efficient and cost-effective by reusing rocket components. The upper stage of Starship continued its flight, splashing down in the Indian Ocean.