SpaceX calls off nail-biting catch attempt as booster splashes down to Earth

Starship hits new milestones

 SpaceX faced an unexpected challenge during the sixth test flight of Starship on Tuesday, as the company aborted a critical booster catch attempt. Despite this setback, the mission achieved groundbreaking milestones during its hour-long flight, showcasing the potential of the world's most powerful rocket.

The 121-meter (nearly 400-foot) Starship system, composed of the Starship spacecraft atop the Super Heavy booster, launched from SpaceX's Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, at around 5 p.m. ET. The event drew notable attendees, including SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump, reflecting Musk's growing influence in political circles.

After its launch, the Super Heavy booster fired its 33 Raptor engines, propelling Starship toward space before separating and attempting a controlled return to the launch site. SpaceX aimed to land the booster using “Mechazilla,” a towering structure equipped with massive “chopstick” arms designed to catch it mid-air. This maneuver was first accomplished during the fifth Starship test last month. However, during this attempt, automated health checks on the tower triggered an abort, prompting the booster to perform a pre-planned divert maneuver, resulting in a safe landing in the Gulf of Mexico instead.

Meanwhile, the Starship spacecraft continued its mission. After separating from the booster, it ignited its six engines and coasted through space. It later reignited one engine to prepare for reentry, marking a significant milestone: the first successful ignition of a Raptor engine in space. SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson highlighted this as a crucial step in testing the spacecraft's capabilities, particularly under the stresses of reentry and descent.

The spacecraft tested new limits by descending at an aggressive angle of attack rather than its typical "belly flop" orientation. According to Anderson, this approach aimed to push the flaps' ability to maintain control to their absolute limits, providing valuable flight data.

Former NASA astronaut and SpaceX advisor Garret Reisman emphasized the significance of these achievements, noting the complexity of restarting the Raptor engines in space. These advancements are critical as Starship moves closer to its goal of becoming a reusable spacecraft capable of transporting humans to the moon and Mars.

While the booster catch attempt fell short this time, the mission demonstrated the resilience and innovation driving SpaceX's efforts to revolutionize space exploration.

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