SpaceX is conducting tests at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, to prepare for the fifth test flight of the Starship system, where it plans to attempt catching the Super Heavy booster with the mechanical "chopstick" arms of the Mechazilla launch tower.
The catch maneuver is crucial for making the Starship rapidly reusable and supporting future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Mechazilla has not yet caught a returning rocket, and SpaceX has only achieved one successful Starship test flight so far. However, the ongoing testing is crucial for verifying the forces the chopsticks will need to withstand during an actual catch attempt.
SpaceX has shared video renders and footage showing the testing of the chopstick mechanism at Starbase, and the company is modifying the design to provide better control during the catching process.
SpaceX has not disclosed the date of the upcoming Super Heavy Booster test involving Mechazilla.
SpaceX is also constructing a second launch tower at Starbase to support advancements in rocket technology.
Mechazilla first tested its chopsticks-like capabilities in 2021 in preparation for catching rockets.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: India Today, Tech Times, Digital Trends, Wccftech.