Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully captures a returning booster with mechanical arms

SpaceX made engineering history on Sunday when a test flight of the giant Starship rocket caught hold of the return booster and mechanical arms called “sticks” as it descended back to the launch pad.

The nearly 400-foot Starship rocket, designed to be reusable, was launched from the company’s Starbase launch site near Boca Chica Village in South Texas.

As the 233-foot Super Heavy booster docked and fell back toward Earth, the booster’s 33 Raptor engines roared to slow its return to the launch pad. The booster fell slowly into the steel arms of the tower and latched itself into place in the first attempt at a novel holding mechanism.

“The tower is holding a rocket!!” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted on X.

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The launch pad tower is equipped with SpaceX’s Kate Tice arms called “sticks,” though fans have nicknamed the feature “Mechazilla.”

SpaceX commentators during the launch broadcast described the engineering feat as magical.

SpaceX’s Starship lifts off during its fifth test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on Sunday. (REUTERS Photos/Kaylee Greenlee Beal / Reuters)

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“Even today, what we just saw is magical,” said SpaceX’s Dan Huot. “I’m shaking right now.”

SpaceX’s Starship flies during its fifth test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on Sunday. (REUTERS Photos/Kaylee Greenlee Beal / Reuters)

“Folks, this is a day for the engineering history books,” added Tice.

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The test flight marks another step toward Musk’s vision of sending people and cargo into space, with his ultimate goal of sending a crew to Mars.