SpaceX is preparing for a significant milestone in rocket reusability with its upcoming Starship Flight 15, scheduled for no earlier than November 13, 2026. The company aims to catch both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage during this orbital flight, a feat that has never been accomplished by any rocket manufacturer.
SpaceX Plans Dual Catch of Rocket Components
Elon Musk announced that the mission will involve catching both parts of the Starship system shortly after launch. The Super Heavy booster is expected to be caught by the launch tower’s mechanical arms approximately 6 minutes and 35 seconds after liftoff. The upper stage will perform a series of maneuvers to return for a catch around 22 hours and 32 minutes after launch, following its deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites into a 275 km orbit.
Previous flights have successfully demonstrated the tower-catch technique with the Super Heavy booster. However, this will be the first attempt to catch the upper stage, which poses greater challenges due to the higher energy and heat loads involved in returning from orbital velocity. The mission will utilize Booster 22 and Ship 42, both Block 3 vehicles, from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas.
Potential Outcomes and Contingencies
If successful, this mission could significantly advance SpaceX’s goal of making life multiplanetary, as Musk described it as “the critical breakthrough needed.” The company has contingency plans for splashdowns in the Gulf of Mexico for the booster and the Pacific Ocean for the Ship if the catches are not viable. SpaceX has emphasized the importance of thorough health checks before committing the Ship to its return trajectory.
SpaceX’s efforts to achieve full recovery of both components would enable rapid inspection, refurbishment, and reflight, potentially reducing costs and increasing the frequency of launches to support its Starlink expansion and future lunar and Mars missions.