SpaceX plans first-ever catch of Starship spacecraft during next launch

SpaceX is preparing to launch Flight 15 of its Starship rocket as soon as Friday, pending regulatory approval. The 75-minute launch window is scheduled to open at 5:45 p.m. EST.The upcoming mission is planned as the first attempt to return both the Starship upper stage and the Super Heavy booster to the launch site for catch recovery. If successful, the flight would mark the first full recovery of an orbital launch system.During the test, Starship is expected to complete about 14 orbits over a flight lasting more than 22 hours. The mission will utilize a Super Heavy V3 booster, making its initial return and catch attempt. SpaceX previously recovered three V1 boosters during earlier flight tests, with two of those boosters later demonstrating successful reflights.The primary objectives for the Super Heavy booster include executing a successful launch, ascent, stage separation, boostback burn and return to the launch site. The Starship upper stage will attempt to deploy 26 Starlink V3 sa