In an exciting update for space enthusiasts, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed plans to catch the upper stage of the Starship rocket using the company’s innovative “chopstick” system in early 2025. Following the successful catch of the Super Heavy booster during its fifth test flight on October 13, 2024, Musk expressed optimism about replicating this achievement with the 165-foot-tall Starship upper stage, commonly referred to as “Ship.”
During the recent test flight, the Super Heavy booster returned to the launch mount approximately seven minutes after liftoff, where it was captured by the launch tower’s massive arms. This impressive feat marks a significant milestone for SpaceX, showcasing the potential for fully reusable rocket technology that could revolutionize space travel.
“Hopefully early next year, we will catch the ship too,” Musk shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that the company is eager to continue pushing the boundaries of space exploration. SpaceX is developing the fully reusable Starship rocket, standing at 400 feet tall, to facilitate missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, as well as to transport cargo and people across the cosmos.
The recent successes of Starship’s test flights have laid the groundwork for these ambitious plans. Following the achievements of June 6 and the latest flight, which demonstrated the rocket’s capabilities, SpaceX is looking forward to future test missions that could see the upper stage return safely to the ground—potentially using the same catching method that worked for the booster.
While the “chopstick” capture method is a game-changer, it won’t be applicable for all Starship missions. For example, when the upper stage is tasked with landing on the Moon or Mars, it will likely need to rely on its traditional landing legs for a propulsive, vertical touchdown. Nonetheless, the launch-mount landings are anticipated for missions to Earth orbit, which includes the ongoing expansion of the Starlink broadband megaconstellation and refueling operations for other Starship missions heading to distant destinations.
As SpaceX continues to break new ground in the aerospace industry, the world watches with bated breath for the next steps in the Starship program. With Musk at the helm, the company is poised to redefine what is possible in space travel, making the dream of interplanetary exploration a tangible reality. As we look ahead to 2025, the excitement surrounding SpaceX’s innovations only continues to grow, offering a glimpse into a future where humanity can venture further into the stars than ever before.
