SpaceX successfully catches starship booster in bold fifth test flight

SpaceX made history in its fifth Starship test flight on Sunday, Oct. 13, successfully catching the Super Heavy booster with giant mechanical arms for the first time. The booster, which launched from Boca Chica, Texas, reached 70 km in altitude before separating from the Starship’s second stage. The rocket re-ignited three of its Raptor engines to slow down as it descended back to the launch site. The tower, over 400 feet tall, used its large metal arms to catch the 233-foot booster mid-air, marking a breakthrough in SpaceX’s reusable rocket development. CEO Elon Musk announced the success on X, celebrating another step toward making space travel to the moon and Mars a reality. Meanwhile, the Starship second stage demonstrated a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean before exploding. Despite the fiery end, the test is seen as another leap forward in SpaceX’s ambitious goals for space exploration. Watch CGTN LIVE on your computer, tablet or mobile https://cgtnamerica.vhx.tv/videos/hd-live-broadcasts Subscribe to CGTN America on YouTube Follow CGTN America: Twitter: @cgtnamerica Facebook: @cgtnamerica Instagram: @cgtnamerica TikTok: @newstoks This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.