Today marks another milestone in SpaceX's ambitious test campaign for Starship as the company prepares to test a unique and daring concept for the second time. The focus of this test will be on the Super Heavy booster's landing, which will involve a groundbreaking maneuver with a structure known as Mechazilla.
Once the Super Heavy booster separates from the Starship spacecraft, it will attempt to land by steering itself into the arms of Mechazilla, a massive structure at SpaceX's launch site designed to catch rockets mid-air as they descend for landing. The tower, named Mechazilla by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk due to its resemblance to a metallic Godzilla, features arms, or 'chopsticks,' that can be used to stack and move boosters and spacecraft before takeoff and to catch rockets during landing.
While the maneuver was successful during SpaceX's last test launch in October, company executives have emphasized that there is still work to be done before they are fully comfortable with this high-stakes landing procedure. SpaceX has also made it clear that safety is their top priority, with the option to redirect the Super Heavy booster to a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico if necessary.
According to a statement from SpaceX, specific criteria must be met before attempting the return and catch of the Super Heavy booster. This includes ensuring the booster and tower systems are functioning properly and receiving a final manual command from the mission's Flight Director. If any issues are detected or if conditions are deemed unsafe, the booster will default to a trajectory that leads to a controlled splashdown in the ocean.
Whether the Super Heavy booster successfully lands in Mechazilla's arms or splashes down in the ocean, the landing is expected to occur approximately seven minutes after liftoff. SpaceX remains committed to pushing the boundaries of rocket technology while prioritizing safety and innovation in their test campaigns.
