SpaceX Launches Starship Test Flight to Catch Both Rocket Stages in Texas

SpaceX launched its 15th Starship test flight on Friday from its site in Starbase, Texas, marking its first attempt to catch both the Super Heavy booster and upper stage spacecraft. The flight lifted off at 4:47 p.m. local time after the company received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Flight Plan And Satellite Payload

The mission aimed for a 22-hour flight where the massive booster would return to the Texas pad six minutes after blastoff, while the bullet-shaped spacecraft would circle the globe and steer back the next day. Both parts were meant to be plucked from midair by mechanical arms on the launch tower. During the flight, Starship delivered 26 of the company's advanced Starlink v3 satellites into orbit at an altitude of around 170 miles. SpaceX plans to carry up to 60 of these satellites per rocket, vastly increasing capacity compared to earlier Falcon 9 rockets.

Booster Outcome And Future Plans

SpaceX had to abort plans to catch and reuse the booster on this flight, instead diverting it to splash into the ocean. According to CNBC, William Blair analysts noted that SpaceX remains a full decade ahead of peers on launches. The company also faces criticism over Starshield service limits in Ukraine, which drew concern from U.S. senators.

Context

SpaceX's ongoing test flights aim to achieve full rocket reusability to drastically lower the cost of space travel. This capability is considered essential by Elon Musk for building permanent bases on the Moon and sending human crews to Mars.