This event is special because no one has ever attempted something like this with a 200-tonne rocket like the Super Heavy (the Falcon-9 first stage is only a tenth of the mass), and SpaceX is planning a completely unique way to intercept the launcher.

To do this, SpaceX has built a special launch pad, the Mechazilla, equipped with two robotic arms.

The plan is to use these arms to intercept the Super Heavy before it reaches the ground.

The role of the Mechazilla is not limited to catching the Super Heavy, as once the rocket has landed safely, the arms can be used to immediately return it to the launch pad and then attach the starship to the top of the launcher.

To make this possible, SpaceX had to build the world’s tallest launch pad, at 146 metres, as the Starship system is around 121 metres tall.

Although Starship is expected to make it much cheaper to launch various cargoes into space anyway, thanks to its extraordinary capacity, this method will allow SpaceX to shorten the time between launches enormously, which could make missions much more economical.

It’s not yet known when we’ll see Mechazilla in action, because although it was previously thought that the fifth test of the starship could take place as early as the end of July, Space.com reports that it could be pushed back to late August or September.