SpaceX to attempt mid-air recovery of Starship rocket

SpaceX is preparing for a double catch of its massive Starship rocket, a flight that will be closely watched by shareholders following the company going public earlier this year, as well as the US Space Agency. This progress is significant for Nasa’s goal of landing humans on the Moon by 2028, which is considered a highly ambitious timeline.

SpaceX holds a Nasa contract to configure the Ship into a lander to transport astronauts to the lunar surface. However, it is not the only firm involved, as Blue Origin, owned by tech billionaire Jeff Bezos, also has a contract to utilise its New Glenn rocket and lander for Moon landings. Both companies are set to play a key role in the Artemis III mission, which is currently scheduled for summer 2027.

During this mission, four astronauts in Nasa's Orion spacecraft will attempt to dock with both the SpaceX and Blue Origin landers. Starship must make significant progress in the coming months to meet these commitments, as the pace of development has been much slower than SpaceX originally intended.

Blue Origin also faces considerable challenges after suffering a major setback earlier this year when its rocket exploded, destroying its launchpad in Florida. Although the company previously stated it would be back in action by the end of this year, the return to flight has been delayed until early 2027.

Nasa remains under pressure to meet its deadlines, with administrator Jared Isaacman stating that America is in a race with China to reach the Moon. China currently plans to land its Taikonauts on the lunar surface by 2030.