SpaceX plans dual Starship catches on November 13 flight

SpaceX plans to attempt tower catches of both Starship stages on Flight 15, targeting launch from Starbase in Texas on November 13, 2026. Space.com’s November 9 report lists a 75-minute window opening at 4:45 p.m. local Central Time.

The company’s November 7 update describes the upper stage’s first planned return to Starbase. Its trajectory would cross northern Mexico and southern Texas, with vehicle checks before controllers commit to returning it.

The two catches would occur at different points in the mission. SpaceX’s timeline targets the Super Heavy booster catch about six and a half minutes after liftoff. The upper stage is expected to make approximately 14 orbits at about 275 kilometres altitude during a flight lasting more than 22 hours.

The payload is 26 Starlink V3 satellites. SpaceX’s November 7 update says three carry cameras to inspect Starship’s heatshield, helping controllers judge whether it can return.

The initial trajectory would end in a cleared Indian Ocean area unless controllers authorise a single-engine burn to enter orbit after checking the spacecraft, according to the November 7 update.

SpaceX retains splashdown options near Hawaii and off Chile. Its update describes monitoring engines, power, communications, navigation, tanks and attitude control; only a vehicle meeting return criteria would approach Starbase.

If cleared, the upper stage would deorbit, steer through reentry with flaps and ignite three engines for its flip to vertical. SpaceX plans to reduce this to two engines, then one, while tower arms close below the forward flaps.

Space.com’s November 9 report notes that SpaceX has previously caught Super Heavy on three flights but has not attempted an upper-stage catch. Flight 15 would be the first attempt to bring both stages back to Starbase.