SpaceX plans to try catching both Starship stages on Flight 15, taking aim at a recovery milestone after reaching orbit for the first time last month.
Elon Musk outlined the plan during the company’s October 20 earnings call. No launch date has been announced but is expected to take place in November. SpaceX expects its FAA licence to authorize both vehicles to return for tower catches.
As we reported in September, Flight 14 reached orbit and released 26 operational Starlink V3 satellites. That flight moved Starship beyond the suborbital missions that had defined its testing program.
SpaceX has already caught Super Heavy three times, beginning with Flight 5 in October 2024. Recovering the upper stage is the next challenge, with the spacecraft returning from a much faster and more demanding journey.
Both vehicles would steer back to the launch tower, where its mechanical arms would catch them. SpaceX has yet to attempt that manoeuvre with the upper stage.
Musk put the chances of success above 50%, while acknowledging that another attempt could be needed.
“I’d say it’s more likely than not that this succeeds next flight,” he said.
THIS WILL BE INCREDIBLE TO SEE!!! Flight 15 could feature the first DOUBLE CATCH! That’s right! Both ship and booster could be caught. This obviously means it’d be an orbital mission again too, so this will easily be the most exciting mission to date! I can’t wait!!! https://t.co/4jbAJyZsDD
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) October 20, 2026
Catching both stages would bring SpaceX closer to recovering and reusing the entire rocket. Unlike Starship’s intended design, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy discard their upper stages.
Recovery is only part of the work ahead. SpaceX expects some refurbishment between early flights, with the goal of eventually eliminating that work so vehicles can fly again immediately.
The company aims to refly an upper stage and attempt orbital refuelling in early 2027. Musk also outlined targets for weekly Starship launches during the first half of next year, followed by twice-weekly flights or more in the second half.
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