SpaceX Achieves First Starship Upper Stage Tower Catch in Texas, Advancing Reusability Goals
SpaceX successfully completed the first recovery of a Starship upper stage at its launch tower in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 14, 2026. This event, part of Flight 15, saw the Starship upper stage return from orbit after 14 revolutions around Earth and deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites. The Starship performed a 'belly flop' maneuver, descending parallel to the ground before firing its engines for a landing burn and coming to rest within the 'Mechazilla' arms of the launch tower. While the Super Heavy booster encountered an issue and exploded before splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, the successful catch of the upper stage marks a significant milestone for SpaceX. According to Kate Tice, SpaceX’s director of quality management and training, the booster's early termination was due to a low fuel mass alarm, indicating it autonomously followed safety protocols. Dan Huot of SpaceX described the event as 'the missing link, the holy grail of spaceflight,' emphasizing its transformative impact on space travel.
