WORLDTECHSpaceX Starship upper stage returns and is caught by tower arms
Full credit
File:Launch of the Roman Space Telescope (NASA livestream).webm / NASA Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. Random APOD Generator Yesterday's Image APOD: 2026 August 30 – M74: A Grand Design Spiral Tomorrow's Image / Launch of the Roman Space Telescope / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Launch_of_the_Roman_Space_Telescope_(NASA_livestream).webmSource pageAccording to a report by Ars Technica Space, SpaceX's Starship upper stage was guided back toward a waiting tower and caught by its outstretched arms. The report describes the return as a striking display of the company's ability to recover a large rocket.
Descent and tower approach
The report describes the upper stage easing slowly toward a tower where two arms extended outward to receive it. The black and silver ship emerged from the cloud deck near the very end of its flight, according to the account from Starbase in Texas.
Late engine burn reorients the ship
Ars Technica Space reports that the rocket flew horizontally for most of its return. Three Raptor engines then ignited at the last moment and swung it into a vertical position for the capture.
About the company
SpaceX is a space company based in Hawthorne, founded in 2002. Its products and services include autonomous spaceport drone ships.
Open questions
- Has the catch been confirmed by SpaceX or by an independent source beyond this single report?