SpaceX plans first double catch of Starship booster and upper stage

The short version

• SpaceX is set to launch Starship Flight 15 on Friday, Nov. 13, with a 75-minute window opening at 5:45 p.m. ET.[CNET]
• The mission aims to catch both the Super Heavy V3 booster and the upper stage, a double recovery not previously achieved.[CNET]
• The flight would deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites and return the upper stage Saturday, but launch remains pending FAA approval.[ABC News · CNET]
• Reports differ on the orbit count, 14 versus 15, so the exact mission profile remains unsettled.[ABC News · CNET]

Key facts

• Starship Flight 15 is scheduled to launch Friday, Nov. 13, with a 75-minute window opening at 5:45 p.m. ET.[CNET]
• SpaceX aims to catch both the Super Heavy V3 booster and the Starship upper stage, a double recovery not previously achieved.[ABC News · CNET]
• SpaceX has previously caught the Super Heavy V1 booster successfully three times.[CNET]
• The mission is planned to deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites and return the upper stage on Saturday.[ABC News · CNET]
• The launch is pending Federal Aviation Administration approval.[ABC News]
• SpaceX's Kiko Dontchev, a vice president of launch, described catching both stages as a major engineering feat.[ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• SpaceX Attempts History Friday With the First-Ever Double CatchCNET
• SpaceX aims for first double catch of Starship in its most ambitious test flight yetABC News - Technology
• Can SpaceX catch its Starship?Scientific American metered
• SpaceX to attempt double catch of huge Starship rocketBBC News - Science & Environment
• SpaceX is launching Starship on its boldest test flight yetAssociated Press