This SpaceX rocket booster catch is the most satisfying thing you’ll watch today

TopGear.com is interrupting its usual programming to bring you news that is completely off topic but nonetheless incredibly cool: SpaceX has caught a rocket booster in mid air.

You read that right. And if you don’t believe us you can see it for yourself in the video at the bottom of the page. After a few dozen viewings, it might start to sink in. How on earth did they do that?

SpaceX achieved the feat during the fifth test of its Starship rocket, which is going big on reusability as it aims for the Moon and (eventually) missions to Mars.

It took off from the company’s Boca Chica launch pad in southern Texas at 7.25am local time, and the Super Heavy booster separated from the main vehicle two minutes and 43 seconds into the flight at an altitude of 70km and a speed just over 5,000kmh.

And as Starship powered on upwards the booster tumbled back to earth, soon firing its 13 engines to slow its descent before shutting off all but three for the final precision manoeuvre.

And what a manoeuvre. By some miracle of witchcraft (i.e. supreme engineering) all 71 metres of booster delicately slipped back into the clutches of the launch tower, caught between its two ‘mechazilla’ arms - think of ‘em as chopsticks - to the sound of absolute pandemonium among the watching SpaceX crew.

Oh, and one detail we forgot to mention: the rocket booster catch was their first try.

Science is awesome. Rockets are awesome. Team SpaceX, we salute you. Marvel at the catch below, or click these blue words to watch the test in its entirety.