SpaceX achieves historic rocket recovery with 'mechazilla' arms

SpaceX has launched its Super Heavy-Starship rocket on Sunday, achieving a stunning new milestone in reusable rocket technology. The Super Heavy booster, after powering the Starship into space, was caught mid-air by SpaceX’s massive mechanical arms—dubbed “mechazilla”—in an unprecedented maneuver.

This dramatic booster capture was part of a broader test flight, as the upper stage of the Starship continued its journey toward space, eventually splashing down in the Indian Ocean. The successful mid-air catch brought SpaceX closer to founder Elon Musk’s vision of rapid rocket reusability.

SpaceX engineers spent years perfecting the intricate technology required for this capture. The company highlighted their progress, stating, “With each flight building on the learnings from the last…we’re on the verge of demonstrating techniques fundamental to Starship’s fully and rapidly reusable design.”

This mission is a key step toward Musk’s ultimate goal: making space travel more affordable and sustainable through reusable rockets. The mission also further strengthens SpaceX’s partnership with NASA, as the company prepares for future lunar missions under NASA’s Artemis program.