SpaceX Achieves Second Super Heavy Booster Catch as Starship Recovery Tactics Evolve

Boca Chica, Texas – SpaceX has successfully executed its ambitious "chopstick" catch maneuver for the Starship Super Heavy booster for the second time, transforming what was once deemed an "insane" concept by CEO Elon Musk into a functional reality. This innovative recovery method, which eliminates the need for traditional landing legs, is central to enhancing the reusability and efficiency of the world's most powerful rocket system, as the company continues its rapid development at Starbase.

The radical vision for the tower catch was initially articulated by Elon Musk in an August 2021 interview with Everyday Astronaut. At the time, Musk acknowledged the audacious nature of the approach, stating, > "If you can move mass [from the rocket] to the ground site, it's better to move mass to the ground site. That's why we took legs off the booster and just have the tower catch it. It sounds mad. I know it sounds insane. When I suggested that, people thought I lost my mind, and maybe I have. It might take a few kicks at the can, but we'll get it right.” This design choice aimed to reduce the booster's dry mass and maximize Starship's payload capacity for lunar and Martian missions.

SpaceX has since proven the viability of this daring recovery method. The first successful tower catch of a Super Heavy booster, Booster 12, occurred on October 13, 2024, during Starship's Flight 5. Building on this achievement, Booster 14 was successfully caught by the launch tower's "Mechazilla" arms during Flight 7 on January 9, 2025. This particular booster was subsequently reused for Flight 9, demonstrating significant progress towards rapid reusability.

Despite these operational successes, SpaceX's recovery strategy remains iterative and dynamic. For the upcoming Starship Flight 10, anticipated in August 2025, the company has reportedly opted not to attempt a tower catch for Booster 16, a brand-new vehicle. Instead, this booster is slated for a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. This strategic decision aims to gather critical data on aerodynamic forces for the development of next-generation Block 3 boosters and to explore alternative landing profiles.

The Super Heavy booster itself is undergoing continuous evolution, with Block 3 variants set to feature design improvements such as integrated interstages and a reduced three-grid fin configuration. These advanced boosters will also be powered by the more capable Raptor 3 engines, engineered for increased thrust and simplified operation. These ongoing enhancements are crucial as SpaceX advances towards its ultimate goal of fully reusable space transportation, a cornerstone for establishing a sustainable human presence on other planets.