Starship Flight 15 lifts off as SpaceX eyes spacecraft catch using 'chopsticks'

SpaceX begins a 22-hour mission, targeting to catch the spacecraft afterwardsStarship Flight 15 lifts off as SpaceX eyes spacecraft catch using 'chopsticks'New Delhi,Nov 14, 2026 04:30 ISTSpaceX's giant Starship rocket lifted off from the company's Starbase facility in South Texas on Saturday, November 14, beginning its 15th integrated flight test and setting the stage for one of its most ambitious missions yet.The rocket took off at 4:15 am IST, carrying 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, and is set to fly for approximately 22:5 hours, during which the spacecraft will travel around Earth before attempting to return to its launch site for recovery.WHAT HAPPENS AFTER LIFTOFF?The launched Starship consists of two stages, the Super Heavy booster, which provides the thrust to lift the rocket off the ground, and Ship42, the upper-stage spacecraft that continues into space.Following liftoff, the two stages separate, allowing Super Heavy to begin its return journey towards Starbase. Approximately six-and-a-half minutes after launch, the booster is expected to descend towards the launch tower, where two giant mechanical arms, nicknamed Chopsticks, will attempt to catch it.Ship42, meanwhile, will continue towards low Earth orbit, reaching an altitude of approximately 275 kilometres above Earth. Once in orbit, it is expected to complete around 14 revolutions around the planet while deploying its 26 Starlink V3 satellites.These next-generation satellites are designed to expand SpaceX's satellite internet network and increase its capacity.A 22-HOUR JOURNEY BACK TO EARTHThe spacecraft's journey will continue for more than 22 hours before it begins its return towards Earth.After completing its planned orbital journey, Ship42 will perform a de-orbit manoeuvre, slowing down and changing its trajectory to re-enter the atmosphere. It will then face the intense heat generated by atmospheric friction during its descent.The spacecraft is expected to return to Starbase at approximately 2:45 am IST on November 15, where SpaceX will attempt to catch it using the launch tower's mechanical arms, nicknamed 'chopsticks'.This will be the first attempt to recover a Starship upper stage directly at the launch site.SpaceX has previously demonstrated successful catches of Super Heavy boosters, but has never attempted the same manoeuvre with Ship.If both recovery attempts succeed, Flight 15 will mark a major milestone in SpaceX's effort to make the entire Starship launch system reusable, potentially transforming how future satellites, cargo and humans are transported into space.- Ends