SpaceX Targets Historic Double Catch of Starship Booster and Ship

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that the company plans to catch both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage during its next test flight. The attempt, designated as Flight 15, is scheduled for no earlier than November 8. This mission follows the recent test that sent the megarocket to orbit for the first time, a milestone Musk described as paving the way for commercial viability despite the long road ahead.

First Full Orbital Vehicle Recovery

While SpaceX has successfully caught the booster three times previously, this will mark the first attempt to catch the upper stage. If successful, Flight 15 “will be the first time that an orbital launch vehicle has been fully recovered,” Musk stated during the third-quarter earnings call. He emphasized that extending consciousness beyond Earth requires a fully reusable orbital launch vehicle, calling it a profound technology milestone in the history of civilization and consciousness.

Mechazilla Tower Simulation Details

During the earnings call, SpaceX presented a simulation of Flight 15. The video begins with views of one of the two “Mechazilla” launch and catch tower systems at Starbase in South Texas. These massive structures feature “chopstick arms” designed to catch returning vehicles. The simulation shows the upper stage, known as “Ship,” falling back to Earth in a horizontal “belly flop” position after completing an orbital flight.

Before reaching Mechazilla, Ship performs a short burn to reduce speed and flip upright into a vertical tower catch position. It descends between the chopstick arms, which then close around Ship. Although the simulation does not show the Super Heavy booster catch, it will follow a similar procedure using Starbase’s other Mechazilla tower.

Technical Challenges and Engine Reliability

“I’d say it’s more likely than not that this succeeds next flight,” Musk said. Catching the booster should be relatively straightforward given previous successes. However, catching Ship presents a bigger challenge because it returns from orbital altitude at much higher speeds. A successful catch also hinges on the full completion of Ship’s orbital flight. If an engine issue or anomaly forces an early return, as happened last time, Ship won’t reenter the atmosphere over Starbase.

Since Flight 14, SpaceX has worked to address engine failures that ended Starship’s first orbital flight prematurely. The megarocket has flown with upgraded Raptor 3 engines three times, malfunctioning every time. It remains possible that such issues could recur.

Path to Rapid Reusability

Catching both stages is essential to the rocket’s full reusability. Launching the same rocket repeatedly would dramatically cut spaceflight costs, making currently infeasible missions economically viable. Even after achieving this technical milestone, SpaceX faces significant work to make Starship fully and rapidly reusable. Re-flying an upper stage and ramping up launch cadence are the next big goals. A successful double catch will unlock a new phase in the megarocket’s development.