SpaceX practices Starship 5 booster catch by lifting it on top of the launch tower

SpaceX is conducting full-swing catch practice for the upcoming Starship 5 test and it has now lifted a real booster on top of the launch tower at Starbase Texas.

Since April 2023, SpaceX has completed four Starship test flights. Through these, the launch vehicle has cleared various milestones including full engine ignition during liftoff and full burn during ascent.

It has achieved hot staging and sent the second stage to orbit. The spacecraft then stayed in orbit for more than 30 minutes before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere for a targeted landing in the Sea.

With flight 4, SpaceX has marked a targeted splash landing for the booster but there are certain challenges in doing the same with the spacecraft.

Starbase tower lifts the Super Heavy booster for Flight 5 to expected catch height pic.twitter.com/INkseNgADF

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 20, 2024

The past flight’s data has helped the company to conclude that Booster could be attempted to recover during flight 5.

In August this year, SpaceX announced that Flight 5 booster and second stages were launch-ready. The firm expected to launch the mission in September but FAA has delayed the license approval to November.

In the meantime, Starbase is busy practicing catch maneuvers including closing and opening the chopsticks to ensure flexibility during a real mission.

With flight 5, the first stage will return to the landing zone after hot-staging and perform a final burn before being plucked by launch tower arms. This will be the first time for SpaceX to try to recover the first stage for full reusability.

After arriving overnight Starship B12 was lifted onto the Pad A OLM. interestingly, the chopsticks lifted the booster to the very top of the tower, in a possible test related to catch operations before being lowered. @NASASpaceflight
Starbase Live https://t.co/1bbXAEmS9g pic.twitter.com/flyDxSQnur

— Elisar Priel (@ENNEPS) September 20, 2024