SPACEX PLANS STARSHIP TOWER CATCH AFTER 13TH TEST

SpaceX is moving forward with plans to catch the Starship booster at the launch pad tower during its 14th test flight. The capture system, nicknamed 'chopsticks,' uses mechanical arms to grab the returning rocket mid-air rather than relying on traditional landing legs. The 13th flight test provided positive results that cleared the way for this next attempt. Previous tests have demonstrated incremental progress toward fully integrated launch and catch operations. Successfully catching Starship with the tower would mark a significant advancement in SpaceX's goal of rapid reusability. The company views tower captures as essential to reducing turnaround time between flights and operational costs. No official date has been announced for the 14th test flight. SpaceX continues to work through Federal Aviation Administration licensing requirements for each successive test.