Watch SpaceX successfully execute the first ‘chopstick’ catch of Starship

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: SpaceX" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/52822624215_2e5d62e50a_o.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">After <a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1033704/spacex-starship-launch-successful-but-a-booster-went-boom-instead-of-sticking-the-landing">aborting</a> a <a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1014913/spacex-will-try-catching-starship-and-its-booster-for-first-time-musk-says">planned catch</a> of Starship Flight 15's booster, SpaceX successfully captured Starship with its "Mechazilla" launch and catch tower for the first time. The company has performed '<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/13/24269029/spacex-starship-launch-super-heavy-chopstick-launch-tower-return-fifth-flight-test">chopstick</a>' catches of its <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/13/24269038/spacexs-chopstick-launch-tower-arms-have-caught-its-super-heavy-booster">boosters</a> before, but this is the first time the maneuver has successfully been executed on the Starship vehicle itself. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said during the company's <a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1014150/spacex-q3-2026-earnings">third-quarter earnings call</a> that "success is not guaranteed on these first flights, but I'd say it's more likely than not that this succeeds next flight." While not a complete success, in that the company was unable to recover the entire launch vehicle, it sti …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1033930/spacex-chopstick-starship-catch">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>