SpaceX Makes History, Catches Starship Straight From Orbit | WATCH VIDEO

SpaceX's Starship returns to its launch pad in Texas on Saturday.

SpaceX's giant Starship spacecraft has successfully returned from orbit and been caught by mechanical arms at its launch site in South Texas, marking a major milestone in the company's efforts to develop a fully reusable rocket system. The spacecraft was caught between two mechanical arms, nicknamed "chopsticks", on the launch tower on Saturday afternoon.

The feat was achieved during Starship's 15th test flight, which began on Friday afternoon. It was the first time SpaceX had successfully brought the spacecraft's upper stage back from orbit and caught it at the launch site.

Starship, which is about 170ft long, was travelling at more than 17,000mph at an altitude of around 170 miles when one of its engines fired briefly, pushing it out of orbit and beginning its descent towards Earth.

As it entered the atmosphere, air pressure heated the spacecraft's underside and slowed it down. Flaps at the front and rear then helped steer it through the denser atmosphere.

The spacecraft passed over Mexico before emerging from the clouds above Starbase, SpaceX's launch facility at the southern tip of Texas.

During its final descent, Starship fired its engines and turned into…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/latest-news