On Starship’s 15th Flight, SpaceX Launches Milestone Test to Demonstrate Full Reusability of Orbit-Class Rocket

A long test flight

SpaceX launched the 407-foot-tall Starship on Friday, with its Super Heavy booster expected to carry it through the lower atmosphere before separating about two minutes and 20 seconds after liftoff. The flight plan called for Starship to follow a sub-orbital path, allowing controllers to check the spacecraft before deciding whether to proceed toward orbit.

The mission was planned to last 22 hours. During its extended coast, controllers were to monitor Starship and could end the flight early, directing it to pre-cleared areas of the Pacific Ocean if needed, SpaceX said.

Return and pad capture

Near the launch pad, Starship was expected to use three Raptor engines to turn upright, then descend between the gantry’s mechanical arms. One engine would remain firing to slow the spacecraft as the arms moved in to catch it. This would be SpaceX’s first attempt to return Starship to its launch pad for possible refurbishment and another flight.

Aiming for rapid reuse

SpaceX describes a fully reusable rocket as “the holy grail of rocketry,” saying it could enable vehicles to fly again at an airplane-like pace. The test flight was intended to advance that goal, but the planned return and capture remained unproven.