SpaceX Rocket Catching "Chopsticks" Testing

SpaceX Starbase Mechazilla chopstick arm sections during assembly

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1481058642875006976

At Starbase in January 2022, SpaceX exercised the Mechazilla tower’s paired catch arms — the “chopsticks” meant to grab a returning Super Heavy booster instead of landing it on legs.

Ground tests of the arms’ motion and reach were an early step toward tower catches later demonstrated on Starship flight tests.

Thursday January 13th 2022