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SpaceX Starship test to attempt first-ever spaceship 'catch'

Phys.org ·

SpaceX Starship test to attempt first-ever spaceship 'catch'

The Brief · written from 7 sources

  • SpaceX plans to launch Starship's 15th test flight (Flight 15, Starlink Group 31-2) on November 13 from Starbase in South Texas, in a 75-minute window opening at 5:45.
  • The flight would attempt the first catch of both stages of an orbital-class rocket, with Booster 22 to be caught back at Pad 2 minutes after launch.
  • The Ship upper stage is to attempt a catch after roughly a day in orbit, following the previous flight, which reached orbit for the first time.

Why it matters

A successful double catch would be a major step toward full reusability of orbital rockets, which matters for the cost and frequency of future launches, including the company's stated goal of hourly launches by 2030.

Who’s affected

  • space engineers and launch industry watchers
  • skywatchers who may see the Ship or Starlink satellites pass overhead

Elon Musk's SpaceX was poised Friday to carry out its latest test of the world's biggest and most powerful rocket, the Starship, with plans for a groundbreaking "catch" of the spaceship following a day in orbit.

Read the full story at phys.org ↗

Timeline

  1. Latest from Space.com

    SpaceX's Starship megarocket will launch to orbit on Nov. 13. Will you be able to spot it in the night sky?

  2. Starship Flight 15 scheduled for launch from Starbase, South Texas, in a 75-minute window opening at 5:45

  3. Planned attempt to catch Booster 22 at Pad 2, minutes after launch

  4. NASASpaceFlight.com

    Starship Flight 15 to attempt first catch of both stages

  5. Latest from Space.com

    Watch SpaceX attempt a historic Starship launch and double-catch landing today (Nov. 13)

  6. Latest from Space.com

    'Don't panic': SpaceX pens familiar message on Starship ahead of historic double-catch test flight

  7. Space News - Space, Astronomy, Space Exploration

    SpaceX Starship test to attempt first-ever spaceship 'catch'

  8. Space - Ars Technica

    Rocket Report: Starship set for historic test flight; a century of Electron

  9. Latest from Space.com

    Double-catch drama: Why Starship's Flight 15 is so important to SpaceX

  10. Planned catch attempt of the Ship upper stage after a little under a day in orbit

Full coverage · 7 sources

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