SpaceX keeps on practicing for Starship 5 booster catch

SpaceX is practicing to ensure readiness for the upcoming Starship 5 test and catch the super heavy booster with its arms.

To do so, the company is using a dummy Super Heavy model prototype designed with the same dimensions as the real rocket.

The company placed this rocket on the orbital launch pad and closed and opened the tower arms on each side to test position and accuracy. These tests help SpaceX verify ground systems that will simulate the trigger tower prior to booster landing.

A week ago, SpaceX announced that Flight 5 is launch-ready and it is now waiting for the FAA’s approval to lift this integrated vehicle into space.

Compilation timelapse of 6 tests performed by SpaceX teams today at Starbase to simulate booster catching, including double chopstick testing for the first time, hopefully we will see more such tests in the coming days.@NASASpaceflight Starbase Live https://t.co/1bbXAEmS9g pic.twitter.com/ljUDER4S1i

— Elisar Priel (@ENNEPS) August 16, 2024

The space agency has not shared any updates on this matter. However, the company is expecting 2-3 weeks to fly this giant spacecraft.

The decision to recover a super-heavy booster is based on flight 4 and the success with post-hot staging. The Flight 4’s booster maneuvered its way back to Earth and performed a final burn before a targeted landing in the sea.

Data gathered with this test mission enabled the company to go for a tower landing. Unfortunately, the company will not attempt to land the Starship on the launch pad.

It may take a few flights for the company to fix the design flaws and make the spacecraft ready for this task before it could land on the launch stand.