The Ship returned after roughly 22 hours in orbit, while the booster aborted its catch and exploded.
SpaceX caught Starship’s upper stage for the first time after roughly 22 hours in orbit on Flight 15. The planned double catch didn’t happen: the Super Heavy booster aborted its catch and exploded before reaching the water.
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SpaceX caught Starship’s upper stage with its launch tower’s arms for the first time on November 14, according to Engadget. The Ship returned to South Texas after roughly 22 hours in orbit on Flight 15. That’s a long trip to end in a pair of chopsticks. Source
The planned double catch, though, didn’t happen. Engadget reports that the Super Heavy V3 booster experienced a problem during its descent and aborted its own catch attempt. It changed course toward a Gulf splashdown but exploded before hitting the water. Source
Super Heavy is the first-stage booster; the Ship is the upper stage. SpaceX had already caught and reflown V1 Super Heavy boosters a couple of times, Engadget notes. Source
Flight 15 also deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites to orbit, according to Engadget. SpaceX celebrated the upper-stage recovery in a post reproduced in the outlet’s report: “Mechazilla catches Starship!” Source
Still, a catch isn’t a reflight certificate. Engadget’s report provides no post-catch inspection results, refurbishment requirements or reflight schedule for the Ship. Source
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