From Engadget · Mariella Moon · · 1m 20s
SpaceX to attempt catching both Starship stages
SpaceX will try to catch both the Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage for the first time during Flight 15 on November 13.
In brief
SpaceX will try to catch both the Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage for the first time during Flight 15 on November 13. SpaceX will attempt to catch both Starship stages for the first time on November 13, a milestone toward full vehicle reusability. Originally reported by Engadget.
Flight 15 launches November 13
SpaceX is aiming to launch Starship's Flight 15 mission on November 13, pending regulatory approval. The launch window opens at five forty-five PM Eastern time that day.
First attempt to catch Ship stage
SpaceX has caught the Super Heavy booster three times before but has never attempted to catch the Ship upper stage. Ship travels much higher and faster than the booster, making it more difficult to catch.
Ship to orbit 14 times in 22 hours
SpaceX will attempt to get Ship to orbit Earth around fourteen times in a flight expected to last more than twenty-two hours before deorbiting. The stage will deploy twenty-six Starlink V three satellites.
Catching both stages with chopstick arms
SpaceX will use its launch tower's chopstick arms to catch Super Heavy minutes after launch, then catch Ship a day later if it deorbits at pre-determined areas and conditions are optimal.Success would advance full reusability.
The headline
SpaceX will attempt to catch both Starship stages for the first time on November 13, a milestone toward full vehicle reusability.
