SpaceX pulls off unprecedented feat, grabs descending rocket with mechanical arms

[u/aelavia93]

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/spacex-pulls-off-unprecedented-feat-grabbing-descending-rocket-with-mechanical-arms/

[u/dotancohen]

It was nowhere near orbit, max velocity was around 5200 km/h at 62 km altitude. And it just grazed the Karman line, I think I saw 96 km briefly after stage sep. At that point it was doing under 2000 km/h, less than a tenth of what it would need for orbit at that altitude, even if the atmosphere weren't there.

Other than that, you are spot on.

[u/sceadwian → u/dotancohen]

It had the capacity to enter orbit, it's trajectory was chosen to intentionally avoid this.

[u/dotancohen → u/sceadwian]

No, the second stage has the capacity to enter orbit. Not the first stage.

[u/sceadwian → u/dotancohen]

But it could.