Summary
SpaceX launched Starship on its 15th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Nov. 13, 2026. The Super Heavy booster diverted from its planned return to the launch pad and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, while Starship continued toward orbit and was scheduled to attempt a return to the launch site on Saturday.
Key Facts
- The rocket lifted off at 5:47 p.m. Eastern time from SpaceX’s Starbase site on the Texas Gulf Coast.
- The Super Heavy booster separated about two minutes and 20 seconds after liftoff.
- Flight controllers diverted the booster to a Gulf of Mexico splashdown a little more than six minutes after liftoff because of a technical problem.
- The booster descended into the Gulf and burst into flames after residual propellants ignited.
- Starship followed a suborbital path before a 10-second engine burn placed it into its planned orbit.
- SpaceX planned to deploy 26 upgraded Starlink satellites during the mission.
- SpaceX planned its first attempt to return a Starship upper stage to the launch pad on Saturday.
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