Staff Reports
SpaceX recently decided to ditch its ambitious plans for a mid-air booster catch during a flashy Starship test flight, and it just so happened that President-elect Donald Trump was in the crowd. Seems like the space giants can build rockets, but catching boosters? That’s another story. This epic launch marked the sixth attempt for the giant rocket, but let’s not forget the drama of the previous three going up in a blaze of glory. The road to the moon—and eventually Mars—might be paved with fewer explosions, or at least that’s what SpaceX and NASA are aiming for.
The decision to skip the catch was made a mere four minutes into the flight, which raises a few eyebrows. Apparently, some unspecified criteria weren’t met, leading SpaceX to send the booster on a little vacation to the Gulf of Mexico instead of narrowly avoiding it with mechanical arms. One can only imagine the conversation in the control room: “Hey, instead of risking another fiery spectacle, let’s just toss it in the water.” Sounds like a solid call, especially after witnessing the fiery fate of the earlier test flights.
SpaceX decides not to catch booster during rocket launch attended by Trump https://t.co/R6MhUavWDh via @JustTheNews
— Aerial SharpShooter 🇺🇸🇯🇵🏴☠️ (@MMCBELL) November 20, 2024
This wasn’t just any launch—this was a strategic afternoon performance, unlike the morning launch that had the rocket literally looping the globe back in October. What a treat for the folks in the audience, especially with Trump in attendance. Nothing like witnessing a rocket in action, even if the big catch trick turned into a splash party. The Starship flew for an hour before making its grand landing in the Indian Ocean, which might beat a notoriously soggy Gulf beach day.
Space enthusiasts and patriotic Americans alike will have to rely on SpaceX’s past success to keep their spirits high, especially considering last month’s successful catch. But with more tests ahead, one wonders how many more booster splashdowns and less-than-dramatic landings will satisfy the appetite for innovation. The enthusiasm to land on the moon and Mars is commendable, but let’s hope the trip isn’t littered with mishaps resembling an episode of a reality competition show for engineers.
With the company’s sights set on celestial bodies far beyond Earth, perhaps it’ll be wise to ensure that Starman and friends don’t crash-land in the ocean next time. For now, the space adventure continues, albeit with a little less flair and a little more caution, proving once again that even the best-laid plans in aerospace can veer off course faster than a runaway booster.
