SpaceX is aiming to catch both Starship’s booster and upper stage on Flight 15, according to Teslarati and NASASpaceflight. The catches would use tower-mounted arms, nicknamed “chopsticks,” to support the returning stages. A successful upper-stage catch would be the program’s first, Teslarati reported on November 13. Source Source
The reported launch window for Friday, November 13, 2026, lasts 75 minutes and opens at 4:45 p.m. CT (5:45 p.m. ET / 2:45 p.m. PT), according to PCMag’s November 13 post. That’s the opening of the window, not a guaranteed appointment for liftoff. Spaceflight Now had previously reported the launch was scheduled for no earlier than November 13. Source Source
NASASpaceflight reported that SpaceX stacked Ship 42 atop Booster 22 at Pad 2 on November 12. Spaceflight Now’s earlier coverage tracked Ship 42 rolling from the production site toward the pad for that pairing. Source Source
Two catches, two different schedules
NASASpaceflight describes Flight 15 as the first attempt to recover both stages: after launch and stage separation, the booster would return to the pad, while the ship would enter orbit, deploy satellites and then return. The outlet places the ship’s potential homecoming on Saturday, November 14, following a November 13 launch. Anyone expecting a quick launch-and-catch double bill may need to clear Saturday, too. Source
The ship would still have to pass checks during its orbital coast phase to continue toward the planned return, according to NASASpaceflight. Its coverage also describes alternatives to returning to Starbase, including a diversion to Hawaii. Source
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