In the high-stakes world of reusable rocketry, SpaceX is pushing boundaries once again with its ambitious plan to catch the Starship upper stage using massive mechanical arms dubbed “chopsticks.” This maneuver, if successful, would mark a pivotal advancement in rapid reusability, potentially slashing costs and turnaround times for missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Elon Musk, the company’s CEO, has indicated that this critical step could occur within the next several flight tests, building on the recent successes of catching the Super Heavy booster.

The chopsticks, part of the Mechazilla tower at SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, have already demonstrated their prowess by snaring the enormous first-stage booster mid-air during Flight 5 in October 2024. That historic catch, detailed in a Space.com report, showcased the precision engineering required to align and secure a descending rocket stage without traditional landing legs or ocean splashdowns.

Evolving Reusability Strategies

Transitioning this capability to the upper stage presents unique engineering challenges. Unlike the booster, the Starship upper stage must endure the rigors of orbital reentry, facing intense heat and atmospheric friction. SpaceX engineers are refining the vehicle’s heat shield and aerodynamic flaps to ensure stability during descent, as highlighted in recent updates from the company’s official X posts, where onboard views of catch fittings were shared.

Musk’s latest comments on X suggest the upper stage catch might not happen until Flights 13 to 15, depending on the performance of upcoming Version 3 prototypes. This timeline aligns with reports from TeslaNorth.com, which noted a potential 2026 attempt, reflecting a cautious approach after setbacks in earlier tests.

Technical Hurdles and Innovations

Key to this endeavor is the hot-staging separation technique, where the upper stage’s Raptor engines ignite while still attached to the booster, a method SpaceX has been perfecting since 2023. Videos from SpaceX’s X account illustrate this process, showing propellant loading and engine firings that propel the Starship toward orbit while the booster boosts back for capture.

Industry insiders point out that catching the upper stage would eliminate the need for water landings, which have resulted in explosions upon impact, as seen in Flight 10’s splashdown covered by ABC News. This shift could enable same-day reflights, dramatically enhancing operational efficiency.

Implications for Space Exploration

Beyond technical feats, the business ramifications are profound. Rapid reusability could undercut competitors in the satellite launch market and accelerate NASA’s Artemis program, where Starship is slated for lunar landings. According to a Gizmodo analysis published just hours ago, this “next big trick” underscores SpaceX’s lead in innovation, potentially reshaping global space access.

However, delays, such as the recent postponement of a Starship launch reported by KHQ.com, highlight regulatory and technical risks. SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn fast” philosophy has fueled its dominance, but scaling to upper stage catches demands flawless execution.

Future Prospects and Challenges

Looking ahead, multiple chopstick-equipped towers are under construction, including at Kennedy Space Center’s LC-39A, as per the Starship SpaceX Wiki on Fandom. These expansions signal SpaceX’s commitment to high-cadence operations.

As the company eyes Mars colonization, mastering upper stage recovery is non-negotiable. Insiders speculate that success here could pave the way for in-orbit refueling, enabling deep-space voyages. Yet, with each test flight, the pressure mounts—failure could delay timelines, but triumph would solidify SpaceX’s revolutionary vision.