SpaceX Plans Tower Catch for Next Starship Flight Following Successful 13th Test
SpaceX appears ready to attempt catching the Starship Super Heavy booster at the launch tower on the vehicle's next flight, following a successful 13th test of the world's largest rocket.
The upcoming attempt would mark another milestone in SpaceX's rapid development program for Starship. The company has been refining its "chute catch" technique, using the launch tower's mechanical arms—sometimes called "mechazilla"—to grab the booster as it returns from flight rather than having it land on legs.
The 13th flight test reportedly went well, providing SpaceX with the confidence to push forward with more ambitious objectives. This iterative approach, where each flight tests new capabilities, has been central to SpaceX's development philosophy.
SpaceX has been working toward full orbital flights with Starship, which the company envisions as a fully reusable system designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.