Mechazilla: The rocket-catching giant
Mechazilla, a 400-foot tall rocket-catching tower equipped with two massive mechanical arms, facilitated the precise landing, colloquially known as “chopsticks.” These arms successfully caught the Super Heavy booster, preventing a ground impact and enabling the booster’s reusability.
This innovative catch mechanism is pivotal for reducing the rocket’s overall mass by eliminating the need for heavy landing legs, thereby increasing payload capacity.