# SpaceX returned its Starship rocket on Saturday—but there's a catch

Source: [Space - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/11/with-starship-catch-spacex-still-shows-it-can-dazzle-the-world/) · 2026-11-15 · Space
Page: https://themorning.science/story/spacex-returned-its-starship-rocket-on-saturday-but-there-s-a-catch-ce3d0293b2355a53
Kind: release · Impact: medium

## In brief

- SpaceX's Starship Flight 15 launched Friday evening, Nov. 13, 2026, from Starbase in South Texas.
- The booster missed its first planned landing catch after an automatic abort, fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded; SpaceX said a guidance issue was the likely cause.
- The Starship upper stage reached orbit and was reported healthy, and returned on Saturday, Nov. 14, for a planned first-ever 'chopsticks' catch at the launch site.

## Why it matters

Catching the full stack and reusing the upper stage are key steps toward reusable heavy-lift rockets, which would change the cost and frequency of launches for science missions.

## Versions

- Starship Flight 15

## Timeline

- 2026-11-13: Starship Flight 15 launches from Starbase, South Texas; booster aborts its landing catch and is destroyed in the Gulf of Mexico
- 2026-11-14: Starship upper stage, reported healthy in orbit, is set to return to Starbase for a planned chopsticks catch

## Coverage

- [SpaceX returned its Starship rocket on Saturday—but there's a catch](https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/11/with-starship-catch-spacex-still-shows-it-can-dazzle-the-world/) — Space - Ars Technica, 2026-11-15
- [SpaceX says Starship Flight 15 booster aborted 'chopsticks' landing catch after launch due to guidance issue (video)](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-says-starship-flight-15-booster-aborted-chopsticks-landing-catch-after-launch-due-to-guidance-issue-video) — Latest from Space.com, 2026-11-14
- [SpaceX will try historic 'chopsticks' catch of Starship upper stage today: Watch it live](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-chopsticks-catch-starship-upper-stage-flight-14) — Latest from Space.com, 2026-11-14
- [SpaceX's Starship set for return to Earth after booster catch aborted](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-spacex-starship-earth-booster-aborted.html) — Space News - Space, Astronomy, Space Exploration, 2026-11-14
- [SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion prevents an unprecedented double catch](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-spacex-starship-soars-orbit-booster.html) — Space News - Space, Astronomy, Space Exploration, 2026-11-14

Tags: spacex, starship, rocket landing, reusable rockets, spaceflight

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