All articles tagged with #rocket recovery
SpaceX has completed static fire tests for both stages of its Starship rocket, clearing the way for Flight 15, which is targeted for November. The upcoming test aims to achieve the first-ever simultaneous recovery of both the upper stage and the booster using the launch tower's mechanical arms.
SpaceX plans to catch both stages of its Starship rocket during its next test flight, a move Elon Musk called a profound milestone for civilization. The attempt, scheduled for next month, would be the first time an orbital launch vehicle is fully recovered. Musk expressed confidence in success but acknowledged the risk of failure.
SpaceX’s 13th Starship test flight, launched July 24, 2026, resulted in the first intact splashdown of the upper stage, designated Ship 40. While the vehicle is not reusable, its recovery provides critical heat shield data. The 171-foot rocket is currently being transported via the semi-submersible vessel Forte to Starbase in Texas, a journey expected to take several months, with an estimated arrival in Brownsville on October 8.