SpaceX Achieves Booster Catch in Landmark Starship Test Flight, Beeple Posts Art to Celebrate

The achievement marks a breakthrough in the company’s quest to develop fully reusable rockets for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The dramatic feat occurred after Starship’s fifth uncrewed test flight, which launched from the Boca Chica starbase at 7:25 a.m. local time (1:25 p.m. BST). As the rocket’s 71-meter (233-foot) Super Heavy booster separated 40 miles (65 km) above the Earth, the upper stage continued to an altitude of nearly 90 miles. Traveling at 17,000 mph, it completed a loop around the planet before splashing down in the Indian Ocean as planned.

Source: SpaceX

Cheers erupted at SpaceX headquarters as the falling booster reignited three of its Raptor engines, decelerated, and maneuvered towards the “Mechazilla” launch tower. The mechanical arms, nicknamed “chopsticks,” successfully caught and secured the booster—a first for the company, signaling a major step towards fully reusable rockets.

Source: SpaceX

The Starship booster’s controlled descent and capture are critical to SpaceX’s long-term goal of developing sustainable space travel. It’s the first time SpaceX has executed the bold maneuver, which aims to eliminate the need for booster recovery in the ocean.

Meanwhile, the upper stage of Starship re-entered Earth’s atmosphere horizontally, its onboard cameras capturing a stunning plasma trail as it descended. With significant improvements to the rocket’s heat-shielding tiles, which were damaged during a previous test flight in June, this mission saw the spacecraft re-enter more intact.

Upon reigniting one of its six engines, Starship positioned itself upright for its final ocean landing. However, after splashing down in the waters off Australia’s coast, the ship toppled and subsequently exploded. It remains unclear whether the explosion was planned or the result of a technical issue, though Elon Musk confirmed that the ship “landed precisely on target!”

Space experts and astronauts lauded the accomplishment. Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut, tweeted, “There was an enormous step forward in human capability today. Makes me even more excited for our collective future. Congratulations to all at SpaceX!”

SpaceX’s successful booster capture marks a significant advancement in space engineering, bringing the company one step closer to achieving its ambitious goals of interplanetary travel.

We, Robot

Today’s successful launch caps off a remarkable week for Elon Musk. Just days ago, Tesla’s “We, Robot” event in Burbank, California revealed a range of futuristic new technology.

The highlight of the event was Tesla’s unveiling of the Cybercab, a two-seater robotaxi designed to operate without a steering wheel or pedals, marking the company’s ambitious foray into autonomous urban transport. Priced under $30,000, with production slated for 2026, Elon Musk promised the Cybercab would bring down mass transit costs. 

Source: Tesla

Tesla also showcased the Robovan, a larger autonomous vehicle capable of seating twenty passengers or transporting goods, aimed at reshaping public and commercial transport. 

Source: Tesla

The  Robovan features striking Art-Deco inspired design. Elon Musk said “the future should look like the future.”

Update from BEEPLE

Beeple posted this striking piece of art early Monday morning to mark the occasion. It fits with techno-optimistic vibe of supporters of Musk. Beeple calls it “ELON CATCHING ROCKETS (2054)”.

Source: X

SpaceX Launch Image Declared Hardest Photo in History

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL — In a landmark announcement today, rocket scientists, art critics, and every guy who’s ever lifted a dumbbell in his life unanimously agreed that a recent image of the SpaceX Starship launch is, without a doubt, the hardest photo ever taken.

The Hardest Photo In History, source: SpaceX

“This image doesn’t just go hard, it practically bench-presses your eyeballs,” said lead NASA engineer Greg Witherspoon, rubbing his temples and trying to come to terms with what he described as “visual testosterone.” “We’ve analyzed it from every angle. The flames are too intense. The power’s too raw. Even standing near the photo makes you want to grunt and crush a beer can against your forehead.”

The photo in question shows the Super Heavy booster’s 33 Raptor engines igniting in a firestorm of fury that experts say is likely to ignite within the viewer a primal urge to conquer space, start deadlifting in the middle of the night, or, at the very least, yell “Let’s f***ing go!” for no reason.

“The colors alone are more masculine than a lumberjack winning a bar fight,” said Terry Jenkins, senior analyst at the Center for Hard Things. “This photo screams ‘I dare you to criticize me.’

In fact, we’re recommending people limit their exposure to 10 seconds at a time or risk a permanent boost in testosterone levels and a sudden interest in owning a truck.”

The ripple effects of this monumental image have been far-reaching. Gyms across the country have reported an influx of people staring intensely at their phones, biceps flexing involuntarily, while mechanics say requests for exhaust flame decals have surged to record highs.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and casual creator of the universe’s hardest image, reportedly sat cross-legged in a cave of stainless steel pondering the societal ramifications of the photo’s raw energy. “Honestly, I didn’t expect this,” Musk said in a tweet, “but I also didn’t expect humanity to still be stuck on one planet. This is what happens when you look at the sky and say, ‘Not hard enough.’”

While the cultural impact of the photo is undeniable, health officials are advising the public to exercise caution. “We’ve already seen cases of rapid beard growth in women and spontaneous Viking tattoos appearing on the chests of 9-to-5 accountants,” warned Dr. Angela Rhodes, head of the newly formed Department of Overexposure to Radness.

Still, despite the risks, millions are flocking to the image, with some even printing it out and framing it next to posters of their favorite action movies. When asked why, an anonymous man in his forties simply growled, “Because it’s time someone told the moon what’s what.”

The hardest photo in human history is expected to inspire a new generation of overconfident DIY dads who insist on building flat-pack Ikea furniture kits without reading the instructions.