SpaceX catches Starship returning from orbit with launch tower's mechanical arms for the first time
The Starship spacecraft, after more than 22 hours in orbit and 14 laps around Earth, was successfully caught by the tower's mechanical 'chopstick arms' at Starbase in Texas — a first for the upper stage. The Super Heavy booster was not caught: according to SpaceX, its engines shut down early and the self-destruct protocol was triggered. Sources differ on the details of its demise.
Otabek Yusupov