SpaceX Completes 15th Starship Flight Test; Makes First-Ever Launch Tower Catch

SpaceX successfully completed Starship’s 15th flight test, catching the returning spacecraft with its launch tower’s mechanical arms for the first time. The historic achievement took place at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas.

The rocket lifted off on Friday afternoon and returned to its launch site around 3:20 pm Central Time on Saturday, after approximately 22 and a half hours.

The mission aimed to catch both the Super Heavy booster and Starship during a single flight.

However, the booster diverted from its planned return trajectory after stage separation and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Starship successfully entered Earth’s orbit and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. It then spent more than 20 hours in space before preparing for its return.

SpaceX’s flight control team reignited one of the spacecraft’s Raptor sea-level engines to perform a deorbit burn. Starship then began its descent towards Earth and approached the Texas coastline over the Gulf of Mexico.

After emerging from the clouds, the spacecraft ignited three Raptor engines to execute its landing flip manoeuvre and slow its descent. The launch tower’s mechanical arms successfully caught the vehicle, marking the first-ever catch of a returning Starship spacecraft.

The achievement marks significant progress in SpaceX’s efforts to develop reusable launch systems and improve spacecraft recovery.

During its previous flight test on September 28, Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.

SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket form a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo into Earth orbit. The company aims to use the system for future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

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