SpaceX Launches Starship Rocket, Catches Booster in Metal Arms

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Elon Musk
Above: The SpaceX Starship lifts off from Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas, on Oct. 13, 2024, for the Starship Flight 5 test. Image copyright: Sergio Flores/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

  • SpaceX launched its fifth Starship test flight on Sunday, with liftoff occurring at 8:25 am ET from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

  • Rather than have the rocket's first stage Super Heavy 233-foot booster land in the ocean, SpaceX guided it gently back to its launch site, where the over 400-foot tower it had blasted off from caught it with mechanical arms.

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The Spin

Narrative A

This launch represents a significant step forward in reusable rocket technology. The ability to catch and rapidly reuse the Super Heavy booster could dramatically reduce launch costs and turnaround times. Success here would be a game-changer for space exploration and could accelerate plans for lunar and Mars missions.

Washington Post

Narrative B

The ambitious nature of this test raises concerns. Elon Musk has created a space monopoly, which could hinder space exploration. This should trigger alarm among competition regulators as SpaceX's dominance in the rocket launch market could jeopardize the commercial prospects of the industry.

Mint

Metaculus Prediction

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Elon Musk

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