Elon Musk , the tech billionaire behind SpaceX and Tesla , recently achieved a major milestone in his vision for reusable rocket technology. On Sunday, SpaceX successfully flew its 233-foot rocket booster back to the launch site and caught it mid-air using two giant mechanical arms, a breakthrough that marks a significant advancement for the company. This system, called " Mechazilla ," was designed to catch the Super Heavy Boosters in mid-flight. Musk explained in a video how the custom-built tower with its massive arms was engineered to capture the largest and heaviest flying object ever made—about 250 tons—though he noted plans to make it lighter in the future.
Despite the technological achievement, Musk acknowledged the complexity of the task. The booster, still travelling at more than half the speed of sound, would need to be caught while descending. He revealed that he instructed the team to remove the tower’s legs, focusing solely on the arms for the catch. The booster’s engines would slow its descent, allowing the arms to close around it. This demonstration of Musk’s enthusiasm for rocket technology also revealed his more playful side, one that his ex-wife, Talulah Riley , once experienced when he invited her to his hotel room to watch "rocket videos." She later shared, with humour, that Musk had indeed just shown her actual videos of rockets.
This successful test flight, where SpaceX’s Starship performed a remarkable splashdown in the Indian Ocean, was met with widespread congratulations. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended the breakthrough, pointing out that it would support ambitious missions such as landing on the Moon’s South Pole and eventually exploring Mars. With the launch of the Starship and the recovery of the Super Heavy Booster by Mechazilla, this achievement moves Musk’s dream of a fully reusable rocket system closer to reality.
Riley, Musk’s ex-wife, has often been part of the public narrative surrounding Musk. The two met in 2008 and married in 2010, before divorcing in 2012. They remarried a year later, only to divorce again in 2016. Despite their tumultuous romantic history, they have maintained a close friendship. Riley has spoken of their relationship with deep respect and love, describing Musk as an emotional person who cares deeply about family and those he loves. She has even defended him against public perceptions that paint him as cold or detached, highlighting moments that show his softer side, such as a time he ventured into the snow at night to bring her flowers when he realised he hadn’t bought her a Christmas gift.
During their years together, Riley took an active role in Musk’s life and family, helping raise his five children from his previous marriage to Justine Wilson. She stepped back from her acting career to support Musk's family and work environment, a decision she has said was motivated by her desire to prioritise family life at that time. While it wasn’t a conventional "housewife" role, Riley described it as a collective family effort, where Musk’s children were involved in his projects, blending his personal and professional life.
Riley has built a successful career of her own, starring in films such as Pride & Prejudice and Inception, and in the television series Westworld. She is also an accomplished writer, having published two novels, Acts of Love in 2016 and The Quickening in 2018. Although her relationship with Musk has shaped much of her public narrative, she has established herself as an independent figure in both the entertainment industry and literary circles.
In 2023, Riley married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, marking a new chapter in her life. However, her bond with Musk remains strong. Both have publicly praised each other, with Riley acknowledging Musk’s immense passion for his work and emotional depth. Their enduring friendship continues, reflecting the lasting connection they formed during their years together, even though their romantic relationship ended. Despite moving on, Riley’s time with Musk remains a significant part of her personal story, woven into the public’s perception of her life and career.
Despite the technological achievement, Musk acknowledged the complexity of the task. The booster, still travelling at more than half the speed of sound, would need to be caught while descending. He revealed that he instructed the team to remove the tower’s legs, focusing solely on the arms for the catch. The booster’s engines would slow its descent, allowing the arms to close around it. This demonstration of Musk’s enthusiasm for rocket technology also revealed his more playful side, one that his ex-wife, Talulah Riley , once experienced when he invited her to his hotel room to watch "rocket videos." She later shared, with humour, that Musk had indeed just shown her actual videos of rockets.
Talulah Riley: “Elon said, would you like to come to my hotel room to look at rocket videos? And we did get into his hotel room, and he did just show me rocket videos.” pic.twitter.com/pOubD1eyin
— ELON DOCS (@elon_docs) October 14, 2024
This successful test flight, where SpaceX’s Starship performed a remarkable splashdown in the Indian Ocean, was met with widespread congratulations. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended the breakthrough, pointing out that it would support ambitious missions such as landing on the Moon’s South Pole and eventually exploring Mars. With the launch of the Starship and the recovery of the Super Heavy Booster by Mechazilla, this achievement moves Musk’s dream of a fully reusable rocket system closer to reality.
Riley, Musk’s ex-wife, has often been part of the public narrative surrounding Musk. The two met in 2008 and married in 2010, before divorcing in 2012. They remarried a year later, only to divorce again in 2016. Despite their tumultuous romantic history, they have maintained a close friendship. Riley has spoken of their relationship with deep respect and love, describing Musk as an emotional person who cares deeply about family and those he loves. She has even defended him against public perceptions that paint him as cold or detached, highlighting moments that show his softer side, such as a time he ventured into the snow at night to bring her flowers when he realised he hadn’t bought her a Christmas gift.
During their years together, Riley took an active role in Musk’s life and family, helping raise his five children from his previous marriage to Justine Wilson. She stepped back from her acting career to support Musk's family and work environment, a decision she has said was motivated by her desire to prioritise family life at that time. While it wasn’t a conventional "housewife" role, Riley described it as a collective family effort, where Musk’s children were involved in his projects, blending his personal and professional life.
Riley has built a successful career of her own, starring in films such as Pride & Prejudice and Inception, and in the television series Westworld. She is also an accomplished writer, having published two novels, Acts of Love in 2016 and The Quickening in 2018. Although her relationship with Musk has shaped much of her public narrative, she has established herself as an independent figure in both the entertainment industry and literary circles.
In 2023, Riley married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster, marking a new chapter in her life. However, her bond with Musk remains strong. Both have publicly praised each other, with Riley acknowledging Musk’s immense passion for his work and emotional depth. Their enduring friendship continues, reflecting the lasting connection they formed during their years together, even though their romantic relationship ended. Despite moving on, Riley’s time with Musk remains a significant part of her personal story, woven into the public’s perception of her life and career.
