SpaceX has successfully caught the Starship rocket's Super Heavy booster for the second time, following a seventh test flight of the system on Thursday. However, the company's celebration was short-lived, as it soon lost contact with the upper stage about eight and a half minutes into the flight.

The successful catch was a significant milestone for SpaceX, which had previously achieved its first booster "catch" in October 2024. The company's articulated arms on the launch tower managed to snatch the rocket stage out of the air as it used rockets to slow its descent. Despite a failed attempt to catch the booster in November due to a communication problem, SpaceX has now demonstrated its capability to recover the Super Heavy booster twice.

The rocket that launched on Thursday was upgraded in multiple ways compared to prior test flights. SpaceX had hoped to test out a number of different heat tiles on the ship section, which protect it from the forces of re-entry. Additionally, the launch tower was outfitted with radar sensors to more accurately locate the booster during the catch process. While the catch was successful, the loss of contact with the upper stage has raised concerns about the mission's overall success.

According to SpaceX representatives, there appeared to be "an anomaly with that upper stage" during the end of the ascent burn. The ship had successfully separated from the booster and had started up its own rocket engines to ascend to orbit before the company lost telemetry. Despite the setback, SpaceX's ability to catch the Super Heavy booster marks a significant step forward in the development of its Starship rocket system.

The Starship program is a critical component of SpaceX's ambitions to establish a human settlement on Mars. The reusable rocket system is designed to be capable of carrying both people and cargo to the Red Planet, with the ultimate goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species. While the loss of the upper stage is a setback, SpaceX's progress on the Super Heavy booster catch is a promising sign for the program's future.

This story is developing, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available. As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of space technology, its successes and setbacks will be closely watched by the space community and beyond.