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SpaceX Starship Flight 15 live updates: Starship heat shield looks good for landing attempt today
Space • • general
Key Points:
- SpaceX's Starship Flight 15, featuring Ship 42, is currently on its second day of a 22.5-hour test flight, successfully deploying all 26 Starlink V3 satellites and performing well in orbit as it prepares for its first-ever orbital landing attempt today.
- Flight controllers opted to skip an early return splashdown off Chile, aiming instead for a full 14-orbit mission and a landing attempt at 4:20 p.m. EST, with the spacecraft's heat shield confirmed to be in good condition for re-entry.
- The Super Heavy Booster 22 first stage aborted its planned landing attempt due to a likely guidance and navigation issue, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of being caught by the launch tower's arms.
- This mission marks the first time SpaceX is attempting to land both the Super Heavy booster and the Ship upper stage back at the launch site, aiming for a historic full recovery of an orbital rocket.
- Starship Flight 15 is visible in the night sky over regions like Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, moving at about 26,442 km/h, and enthusiasts are encouraged to spot and share sightings of the spacecraft.
