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SpaceX will launch epic double-catch Starship Flight 15 test mission on Nov. 13
Space • • business
Key Points:
- SpaceX is targeting November 13 for the 15th test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to achieve the first-ever full recovery of both the Starship upper stage and the Super Heavy booster by catching them on the launch tower.
- The mission, launching from Starbase in Texas, plans for Super Heavy to return about 6.5 minutes after liftoff for a tower catch, while Starship will enter orbit and remain aloft for over 22 hours, completing approximately 14 Earth orbits.
- Starship will deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites during the mission, advancing SpaceX’s goal of building a megaconstellation of around 100,000 satellites.
- The flight includes contingency plans to safely abort the tower catch attempt and deorbit Starship over the ocean if conditions are not ideal, emphasizing safety and mission success.
- This flight represents a significant step toward making Starship a reliable, rapidly reusable orbital launch system, with SpaceX aiming to revolutionize spaceflight by recovering both stages intact.
