SpaceX catches rocket mid-air

October 15, 2024

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For the first time, SpaceX has caught a rocket booster in mid-air as it returned to Earth.

The Starship rocket, launched from Texas, successfully separated from its lower section, called the booster, which was then gently guided back to the launch pad by a pair of mechanical arms. This major achievement moves the company closer to building reusable rockets.

Starship lifted off from Boca Chica Beach for its fifth test flight and exited the Earth’s atmosphere. About three minutes later, the Super Heavy booster separated and began its controlled return. Engineers slowed the booster, which had been traveling over 11265 km per hour, and guided it back using special engines. When it neared the 146-meter landing tower, the booster was caught mid-air, much like catching an object with chopsticks.

The top part of the rocket, called the Ship, continued on and landed in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk celebrated the accomplishment, marking it as an important step toward making reusable rockets that could one day take humans to the Moon and Mars. NASA has already invested over 4.2 billion in SpaceX to help land astronauts on the Moon by 2026.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

Learning Options

Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

At the edge of a native forest near Rotorua, a group of Year 8 students checked bird counts over three mornings. They heard more tūī and fantail calls after a section of weeds was removed and young trees were planted. The students also noticed fewer introduced birds near the track. Their teacher said the change could be linked to better food sources and safer nesting places. The group did not claim the forest was fully restored, but they agreed the planting work seemed to be helping the habitat recover.

Which summary best captures the main idea of the passage?

The forest was fully restored because the students planted young trees near the track. The students counted birds for three mornings and heard more tūī than fantail calls. The teacher explained that introduced birds were the main reason the forest needed work. Removing weeds and planting native trees seemed to improve the forest habitat and support native birds.