SpaceX prepares Starship for milestone flight with double-catch attempt

This upcoming flight aims to achieve a groundbreaking feat: capturing both the Super Heavy Booster 22 and the Starship upper stage using the launch tower’s specialized “chopstick” arms. This would mark the first-ever full recovery of an orbital rocket.

Upon arrival at the launch pad, Booster 22 underwent final testing, including a “squeeze test” at the intended catch height. The booster is equipped with 33 of SpaceX’s Raptor engines.

While SpaceX has previously successfully caught the Super Heavy booster on three occasions, this will be the first attempt to capture the Starship upper stage, which travels higher and farther. SpaceX achieved its first orbital Starship flight on Flight 14, launched on September 28th.

This recovery strategy is crucial for SpaceX’s future plans, enabling a significantly increased launch rate. The company envisions utilizing this method for all operational Starship missions, supporting the expansion of its Starlink V3 broadband constellation and Starmind AI data-center network. Elon Musk has stated a goal of reaching 10,000 Starship flights annually by 2030.

Flight 15 is scheduled to launch from Starbase on Friday, November 13th, within a 75-minute window beginning at 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT; 4:45 p.m. local Texas time). Super Heavy is expected to be captured approximately 6.5 minutes after liftoff, while Ship will return roughly 22 hours later, having deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into low Earth orbit and completed 14 orbits.

Live coverage of the launch will be available on Space.com.