Google CEO Sundar Pichai has congratulated Elon Musk as SpaceX successfully ‘caught’ the 233-foot rocket booster on Sunday as it returned to the launch pad after a test flight.
Musk shared a video of the Starship rocket booster being “caught” on his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Musk captioned the video with the message, “The tower has caught the rocket!!” referring to the remarkable event at the launch site. The achievement, described as an “engineering feat,” has garnered significant attention and praise from the aerospace industry, including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
In response to Musk’s post, Pichai commented, “Huge congrats, have to admit, rewatched the video many times over, incredible to see!”
The nearly 400-foot (121-meter) Starship launched at 7:25 a.m. CT (4:55 p.m. IST) from SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas facilities. During the second stage, the Super Heavy booster separated from the Starship at an altitude of approximately 70 km, initiating its return to the launch pad.
To slow its descent, the Super Heavy booster re-ignited three of its 33 Raptor engines, aiming to land back on the same tower from which it had launched. The 233-foot (71-meter) booster successfully locked itself into place on the launch tower using small, protruding bars located beneath its forward grid fins.
SpaceX employees erupted in celebration as the stainless steel booster gently descended into the tower’s arms. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also joined in congratulating the team on the successful landing.
