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SpaceX Plans Historic Dual Rocket Catch
9 Nov
Summary
- Starship's next flight test is scheduled for Friday, November 13.
- SpaceX will attempt to catch both the booster and upper stage.
- This mission marks the first attempt to recover the upper stage at launch site.
SpaceX is targeting Friday, November 13, for its next Starship flight test, designated "flight 15." This mission, launching from Starbase in Texas, aims to achieve a major milestone: the simultaneous recovery of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. The company plans to use its distinctive "chopsticks" tower mechanism to catch both vehicles, a feat never before attempted for the orbital stage.
Previous tests have demonstrated significant progress, including an intact ocean landing of the upper stage and Starship reaching orbit for the first time on September 28. This upcoming flight aims to build upon these successes by recovering the upper stage at the launch site, which SpaceX has already achieved multiple times for the booster. Such a recovery would be a breakthrough for making Starship a reliably reusable rocket.
Starship, standing at 407 feet tall, is the largest and most powerful rocket ever developed. It is designed as a fully reusable transportation system intended for missions to Mars and the Moon, including a role in NASA's Artemis program.
