In a groundbreaking move for the aerospace industry, SpaceX plans to catch the upper stage of its Starship rocket using a unique "chopstick" mechanism in early 2025. Following the successful capture of the Super Heavy booster during its latest test flight, CEO Elon Musk announced ambitions to replicate this achievement with the 165-foot-tall Starship, marking a significant leap forward in reusable rocket technology.

This innovation not only enhances recovery efficiency but also promises to reduce costs and turnaround times for future missions. As SpaceX envisions launching numerous Starship missions to Earth orbit—vital for expanding the Starlink broadband megaconstellation—this catching method could revolutionize operational strategies in space logistics.