SpaceX 'chopsticks' to catch Starship's Super Heavy booster! See an animation and tests

SpaceX intends to capture Starship's Super Heavy booster with mechanical arms known as "chopsticks." See an animation of a catch and recent footage from tests.
Credit: Space.com | animation & footage: SpaceX | edited by Steve Spaleta ( / stevespaleta )

[@RajKumar-oz1ok]

So its going to be crazy

[@Pintuuuxo]

It will be as beautiful as watching the first landing of Falcon 9 on LZ1.

[@FractAlkemist]

Normally I would say this is insane, like something you would dream up after a heroic mushroom dose.

[@sfguzmani]

Landing rocket boosters is insane on itself. But this is a whole new level of insanity. I hope they pulled this one out. It will be spectacle to watch.

[@SebastianWellsTL]

It's a great time to be alive guys!

[@Leo_Henry]

Of course, it's not going to work as predicted in the first test!

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

They will have to have some fuel reserves to allow for hovering and adjustments of the position. I wonder how the weight of that extra fuel compares to the weight of the missing landing legs?

[@jathawk101]

You can tell it’s automated video because all the cars in the background are going at the same speed.

[@jonesjoyce1215]

Ohh my God. so beautiful! ❤️💝🤗

[@brown2889]

Anyone know what “The Pucker Factor” numbers will be? Just comment below.😂

[@penguin44ca]

The best part is, since they are no longer using that pad because they are going to tear it down, may as well try to catch. If it wrecks the pad it's actually not a problem

[@cu9.11]

Just wondering what is spacex gonna do if the catch failed and break the chopstick

[@jonesjoyce1215]

Congratulations on your great success! Thank you for the images, video, and especially for the music, as deep as my essence in Pisces. Good work, this vibe is the best of all, it takes us to the highest frequencies. Thank you. 💝👏👏👏🌟💫🔥

[@MarcosRodrigues-zg6nz]

cant believe they're actually doing it next flight.

[@fabrb26]

Next stage , Giant tower for hot refueling / staging of another ship while the booster hovering 1/4 mile over the ground in an endless loop

[@freyawildesciencefictionau8156]

<3 This is magic. I can't wait for it to happen.

[@natayachantakasamkun1004]

Thank you 😊😊😊

[@lindaj5492]

“Come to Momma”. This is pure Arthur C. Clarke SciFi territory: except it’s real 😳

[@paulhealey2984]

This is going to work.

[@arnoldmayii3563]

Cool! But the first accident, and theirs always an accident, will be very messy.