SpaceX is also flying rudimentary catch fittings on Starship to test their thermal performance on reentry. The ship will fly a more demanding trajectory during descent to probe the structural limits of the redesigned flaps at the point of maximum entry dynamic pressure, according to SpaceX.

SpaceX is preparing for the seventh flight test of the Starship vehicle on Monday afternoon from Starbase in Boca Chica near Brownsville, Texas.

SpaceX intends to captures Starship's Super Heavy booster with mechanical arms known as "chopsticks." See an animation of a catch and recent footage from tests. Credit: Space.com | animation & footage