Early last year, Elon Musk said that SpaceX planned to use a launch and catch tower for its Super Heavy rocket using a special arm, using the grid fins to take the load. This makes it a more cost-effective measure as it would save on mass and the cost of installing legs on the Starship booster. Today, he provided a first look at the actual tower and its clamp-style arms that will catch the first stage booster. Read more for the video and a bonus.
Starship launch & catch tower pic.twitter.com/5mLIQwwu0k
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2022
Not only would SpaceX save money by not building landing legs for the rocket, it would also reduce the booster’s weight, which in turn mean less fuel as well as larger payloads. If catcht successfully, the booster could be ready for another flight in under and an hour. Elon Musk is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to perform the first test flight of Super Heavy and Starship from its Boca Chica, Texas base.
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