SpaceX catches Starship rocket booster for first time ever as it returns to Earth after launch

By Esme Stallard and BBC team, Oct 13: Starship's Super Heavy booster has made its first landing in Texas.

Screams and cheers erupted in the SpaceX control room as the arms closed around the booster, marking its safe return to Earth.

Cheers and screams erupt in SpaceX's control room as Starship's fifth test succeeds.

For the first time, Elon Musk's company has caught the Super Heavy booster - which sits at the bottom of the two-stage vehicle - as it returns to the launchpad in Texas.

Being able to land the booster safely increases its chances of being rapidly reusable, which would reduce the costs of spacefaring.