Starship Flight 5: Super Heavy booster caught by the launch tower's arms for the first time

SpaceX/Starship

On Starship's fifth flight test on October 13, 2024, the Super Heavy booster flew back to Starbase and was caught by the launch tower's chopstick arms on the first attempt at an altitude of ~74 km after stage separation. The ship continued to space and made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean ~65 minutes later after firing three of its six engines.

• Launch: October 13, 2024, 8:25 a.m. EDT from Starbase, South Texas.
• Historic first: Super Heavy booster caught by tower chopstick arms on first attempt at ~74 km altitude.
• Booster performed landing burn and was caught by tower arms; thousands of vehicle and pad criteria met.
• Ship: continued to space, powered descent with 3-of-6 engines, splashed down Indian Ocean ~65 minutes after liftoff.