Far from a RUD, the real-life Super Heavy booster catch performed nearly shot-for-shot the same as SpaceX's animation. The dramatic pairing emphasizes the literal and metaphorical leaps the launch vehicle has taken over the past few years as it approaches operational qualification, which can't come too soon for both SpaceX and NASA.

SpaceX has had five test launches for its Starship mega-rocket so far, with its sixth planned for as early as Nov. 18.Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to launch its Starship mega-rocket on Tuesday, marking its sixth test since April 2023.