SpaceX plans to attempt its first simultaneous double Starship rocket stage catch during next month's test flight.
SpaceX plans to attempt its first simultaneous catch of both Starship rocket stages during its upcoming test flight targeted for next month. CEO Elon Musk called the ambitious maneuver a profound technology milestone during a Q3 earnings call on October 20.
SpaceX plans to attempt its first simultaneous catch of both Starship rocket stages during its upcoming test flight targeted for next month. CEO Elon Musk called the ambitious maneuver a profound technology milestone during a Q3 earnings call on October 20. The 400-foot-tall Starship is the largest rocket ever built.
Unlike SpaceX’s partially reusable Falcon rockets, both Starship stages are designed to steer back to the launch tower and be caught mid-air by the tower’s mechanical arms. SpaceX has previously executed three booster catches during its 14 test flights, but has never attempted to catch the upper Ship stage, which travels faster and farther.
Musk stated he expects the upper-stage catch to succeed on the first try. Reusing both stages rapidly is designed to accelerate flight rates and lower costs for deep-space exploration and satellite deployment. During the call, SpaceX also reported strong financial results, posting $14.6 billion in revenue and a $4.4 billion net income for the third quarter.
The story so far
Earlier coverage connected by shared names and topics. Follow the dates to see how coverage developed; these links do not imply every article describes the same event.
SpaceX rocket launch creates incredible 'space jellyfish' visible throughout US East Coast (photos)A SpaceX rocket launch created a glowing, jellyfish-like visual phenomenon visible to millions of early morning observers across the United States East…
Connected by: SpaceXEARLIER COVERAGE- SpaceX returns the first surviving Starship upper stage to its South Texas facility for engineering evaluation.
SpaceX has brought its Ship 40 upper stage back to its South Texas facility nearly three months after it became the first…
Connected by: StarshipEARLIER COVERAGE - SpaceX Asks Federal Regulators for Permission to Launch Starship Up to 456 Times Annually From South Texas
SpaceX has asked federal regulators for permission to launch its Starship megarocket up to 456 times per year from its South Texas…
Connected by: StarshipEARLIER COVERAGE - SpaceX thrusters just made a Tesla Roadster 'fly' (and Elon Musk's car is still out there in space)
Tesla unveiled its next-generation Roadster during a live demonstration on Oct. 16 at SpaceX's rocket-testing facility in McGregor, Texas. Chief Executive Officer…
Connected by: Elon MuskEARLIER COVERAGE - NOWSpaceX plans to attempt its first simultaneous double Starship rocket stage catch during next month's test flight.CURRENT UPDATE
Original publication: 21 October 2026 03:59
