SpaceX’s Starship captured by launchpad arms in dramatic first
Also reported by CBS News, Guardian World, BBC World, PBS NewsHour, France24
Summary
SpaceX’s Starship returned from orbit on November 14, 2026, and was caught by mechanical arms at its Texas launch site. The spacecraft completed its flight and deployed 26 Starlink satellites, but its booster exploded after launch, preventing a planned catch of both stages.Key Facts
- The Starship spacecraft was caught by launchpad arms at Starbase, Texas, on its return from space.
- This was the first time SpaceX caught a Starship spacecraft returning from orbit.
- Starship completed 14 laps around Earth and reached an altitude of about 265 kilometers (165 miles).
- The spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink satellites during the flight.
- SpaceX said the spacecraft’s systems, including its heat shield, appeared to work well.
- The booster exploded shortly after liftoff on November 13, so SpaceX did not achieve its planned double catch.
- Engineers are investigating why the booster failed; SpaceX said its guidance system initiated a water landing and self-destruction after detecting it was out of position.
- NASA is paying SpaceX to develop Starship for landing Artemis astronauts on the Moon later this decade.
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