SpaceX catches Starship upper stage with 'chopsticks' for first time

SpaceX has caught the upper stage of its giant Starship rocket in midair for the first time, using mechanical arms nicknamed “chopsticks”. The spacecraft made a smooth return to Earth and landed at the same launch pad it had left 22 hours earlier, marking a milestone for the company.

The catch was captured on video and reported by Al Jazeera. Footage showed the tall, stainless-steel vehicle descending vertically before two large arms on the launch tower closed around it, securing the stage without the need for landing legs or a splashdown at sea. This is the first time the upper stage has been recovered in this way.

The achievement demonstrates progress in making the full launch system reusable, a key goal for reducing the cost of space access and enabling more frequent flights. Catching the upper stage with the tower arms is expected to speed up the time between missions, as the vehicle can be quickly inspected and prepared for another launch.

SpaceX has not yet released additional details about the mission’s objectives or when the next Starship flight will take place. The successful catch follows a series of test flights as the company continues to develop Starship.