SpaceX to retrieve entire orbital Starship rocket in historic test
SpaceX will attempt to catch both booster and spacecraft mid-air in a 22-hour flight, the first complete orbital rocket recovery attempt.
SpaceX is preparing its boldest Starship test yet: a 22-hour flight to retrieve every piece of the rocket for reuse. If successful, mechanical arms on the launch tower will pluck both the massive booster and bullet-shaped spacecraft from mid-air.
The booster returns to its Texas pad six minutes after liftoff. The spacecraft arrives the next day after orbiting Earth 15 times.
The altitude is around 275 kilometres. If it works, this will be the first time an entire orbital rocket has been retrieved for recycling.
SpaceX says rapid reuse is the only way to achieve launch rates needed for moon bases and Mars missions. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the test hours before planned liftoff.
Previous Starship test spacecraft have ended up in the ocean. This happened either by design or through accidents.
- 22 hours
- Flight duration
- 72 metres
- Booster height
- 275 kilometres
- Orbital altitude
- 14 Starships
- Previous ocean landings
Why it mattersFull rocket reusability could slash launch costs and enable the rapid deployment SpaceX says is essential for sustained space exploration.
AustraliaNo direct effect on Australian services yet, but success would accelerate Starlink satellite launches and strengthen SpaceX's role in NASA's lunar programme.
