Octagrabber

Mission Profile

Octagrabber is SpaceX's remotely operated robot used to secure a returned Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy first stage booster to the deck of SpaceX's autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS) after a propulsive landing at sea. The four-legged device drives under the booster and clamps onto its octagonal support ring — hence the name — preventing the booster from toppling or sliding on the barge deck during the return journey through ocean swells. Octagrabber was developed after several boosters were lost at sea following apparently successful landings due to rough conditions and lack of deck securing. By allowing crew to remain at a safe distance and automate booster securing, Octagrabber significantly improved the reliability of SpaceX's offshore booster recovery operations.