SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 begins day 2 of longest test flight
Good morning and happy Saturday, Space Fans! Today is Flight Day 2 for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 test flight and SpaceX reports that its Ship 42 spacecraft is in good health as we near the 14-hour mark of its 22.5-hour test flight.
About 7 hours into the mission, SpaceX spokesman Dan Huot confirmed that flight controllers gave the go-ahead to forgo an early return window for a splashdown off the coast of Chile and proceed for the full 14-orbit flight. Starship is on track for a landing attempt, its first-ever from orbit, today (Nov. 14) at 4:20 p.m. EST (2120 GMT). Space.com’s livestream of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 landing will begin at 2 p.m. EST and you can see it at the top of this page.
“Starship’s going to stay in space. We are one step closer to an eventual return to launch site,” Huot said in the update. “So that’s great news.”
Huot also reported that Starship’s tile-covered heat shield appears in good shape for today’s landing attempt. SpaceX used long-range ground-based cameras and cameras on some of the 26 Starlink satellites the Ship deployed to check its heat shield after liftoff.
“Our heat shield team reviewed all the data we got from our ground tracking cameras, and from those satellite cameras and confirmed the heat shield is in a good posture for a re-entry and return to the launch site,” Huot said.
Huot also said it was likely a guidance and navigation control issue that caused the Booster 22 Super Heavy first stage to abort its landing attempt after liftoff on Friday. The giant booster plunged into the Gulf of Mexico instead of making a landing patch catch at Starbase, Texas.
The next “early return” check will come about 20 hours into the mission, around 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), when flight controllers will have to decide for hte last time whether to press ahead with the landing attempt or send Starship to a splashdown off the coast of Hawaii.
Tariq Malik
How to spot Starship in the night sky as it coasts in orbit
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft Ship 42 is flying over Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean as it continues its long coast 260 kilometers above Earth.
You can actually try to spot Starship in the night sky using our guide here.
SpaceX’s livestream is showing the position of the spacecraft, giving you an idea of where and when to look. You should be fast though, as Starship is moving at about 26,442 km/hour.
If you do see Starship in the night sky, let us know! Send us a note on what you saw and your photos here: spacephotos@space.com.
Tariq Malik
All 26 Starlink satellites deployed, Starship Flight 15 now coasting
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 Ship vehicle has successfully deployed all 26 Starlink satellites and has now entered an extended coast phase of its mission that should last well into tomorrow. Here’s our launch wrap with video and photos from Josh Dinner at the launch site.
The Ship 42 spacecraft deployed all 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites by the 1-hour, 17-minute mark of the mission.
Flight controllers then decided to forgo an “early return” option to land Starship early with an ocean splashdown off the coast of Hawaii. The option, at the 90-minute mark of the flight, is the first of three “early return” options fopr Starship in case something goes wrong.
So far, Ship 42 is performing well in orbit. The next early-return checkpoint is about 7.5 hours into the mission, which will occur around 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT).
“That means this is now going to be the longest Starship mission we’ve ever flown,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot said. “We’re going to surpass the point that we had to come home on Flight 14. So that’s already exciting.”
Huot and other SpaceX commentators will return in a few hours with a status update. So for now, Starship is just coasting in space.
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 Ship deploys 12 of 26 Starlink satellites
It’s been one hour since SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 launch and Starlink satellite deployment is underway.
So far, the Ship 42 upper stage has deployed 12 of 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites, with more popping out of its Pez-dispenser like payload bay every few minutes.
Ship is flying over a brilliant blue Earth, with the camera views from the spacecraft relayed to Earth via SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation.
Tariq Malik
Starship begins Starlink satellite deployments
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 Ship upper stage has begin deploying its 26 Starlink internet satellites into orbit.
Three satelllites have already been deployed, with the Ship performing a slow rotation to allow the cameras on one of the Starlinks capture imagery of the spacecraft’s heat shield.
“It will be about 40 minutes all told to get these satellites out the door,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot says.
Tariq Malik
Starship enters orbit on 22-hour flight after launch success
SpaceX’s Ship 42 has successfully performed its orbital insertion burn and is now orbiting the Earth. It is only the second time SpaceX has reached orbit with Starship. The first time was September’s Starship Flight 14 test mission.
“We’ve got a nominal orbit insertion, so Starship now in orbit around Earth for the second time ever,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot says. “That’s a really great moment.”
The next major milestone will be Starlink satellite deployment, which should start at the 35-minute mark and last about one hour.
Here’s our full guide and Starship Flight 15 mission timeline for the full 22.5-hour mission.
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 ‘GO’ for orbit, SpaceX says
SpaceX’s next big milestone after today’s mostly successful Starship Flight 15 launch with be orbital insertion, when the Ship will fire up a Raptor engine to enter orbit around Earth.
That engine burn is scheduled for about 26 minutes after liftoff and will last about 20 seconds.
“We are go for orbit,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot says.
If all goes to plan, Ship 42 should end up in an orbit about 275 kilometers above Earth and spend up to 22 hours orbiting Earth 14 times before returning to Earth tomorrow.
Deployment of the 26 Starlink V3 satellites in Ship’s payload bay is scheduled to begin at the 35 minute mark.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX aborts Starship Flight 15 Super Heavy booster catch, Ship in orbit
SpaceX’s Booster 22 has splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico after it aborted the planned launch pad catch. It was unclear the exact cause of the landing catch abort.
“We’ll dig in to what caused that abort during its flight back to the tower,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot says.
The Ship upper stage, meanwhile, successfully completed its ascent and has shut down its 6 Raptor engines. It is now in orbit, with the payload deployment of 26 Starlink satellites to come next.
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 Stage Separation, Booster heads home
The Starship Flight 15 Super Heavy Booster 22 has successfully separated from the Ship upper stage and is beginning its return to Earth. One of its 33 engines may have dropped out, but its upcoming 13-engine boost back burn is coming up.
Ship 42 is continuing its ascent with all 6 engines firing.
Tariq Malik
LIFTOFF! SpaceX launches Starship Flight 15
LIFTOFF! SpaceX launches its Starship Flight 15 test flight on the company’s first-ever attempt to land both Super Heavy and Ship!
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 fueling complete
Fueling is now complete for Starship flight 15, SpaceX’s Dan Huot reports.
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 launch MINUTES AWAY!
SpaceX is now less than 5 minutes away from its Starship Flight 15 launch at 5:47 p.m. EST (2247 GMT). Fueling will end in about 2 minutes.
“T-5 minutes and we are tracking no issues,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot said. “We have no holds on the board right now.”
Tariq Malik
Raptor Engine Chill Down on Super Heavy
SpaceX is expected to be chilling down its 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy first stage on the Starship Flight 15 rocket.
The fueling process is ongoing and will continue until just over 2 minutes to liftoff.
The launch remains on track for 5:47 p.m. EST (2247 GMT).
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 carries a heat shield tile installed by Mr. Beast
SpaceX just revealed that YouTube icon Mr. Beast has put his personal touch on today’s Starship Flight 15 launch. He installed a heat shield tile on part of the spacecraft, and it’s verified all set for launch.
A reminder, too, that SpaceX is launching 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites on Flight 15. They will be deployed in orbit by the 90-minute mark after launch.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX now fueling Starship Flight 15 Super Heavy and Ship
SpaceX has officially begun fueling its massive Starship Super Heavy Booster 22 and Ship 42 for today’s Flight 15 test launch. Liftoff is on track for 5:47 p.m. EST (2247 GMT).
The Super Heavy and Ship require nearly 12 million pounds of liquid oxygen and liquid methane for launch.
Super Heavy Booster 22 will be the first V3 Starship booster to attempt a landing, though SpaceX has performed the feat several times before. Ship 42 will be the first upper stage to attempt a landing when it returns to Earth on Saturday.
“We are not currently tracking any technical issues, any range issues and definitely no weather issues for today,” SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot said.
Tariq Malik
NEW LAUNCH TIME for Starship Flight 15!
SpaceX has a new launch time for Starship Flight 15 today. It is two minutes later than previously announced.
Liftoff is now set for 5:47 p.m. EST (2247 GMT). SpaceX has a 75-minute launch window for today’s test flight.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX ‘GO’ for fueling Starship Flight 15 for launch
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 livestream has begun at the T-45 minute mark for today’s launch. Liftoff is still targeted for 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT).
SpaceX does have a 75-minute window for today’s launch, assuming it is not affected by the FAA groundstop to aircraft nationwide.
SpaceX has given the “go” to begin the fueling processes for Starship.
“Go for propellant load. Teams will soon begin loading Starship with ~12 million pounds of liquid oxygen and liquid methane,” SpaceX reported in a launch update.
Tariq Malik
1 hour to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 launch
SpaceX is now T-1 hour and counting to the planned launch of its SpaceX Starship Flight 15 test flight and our launch livestream will begin soon. Liftoff is on track for 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT).
One thing that has happened in the last few hours: The FAA has issued a rare national groundstop for all aircraft due to a “communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers,” Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, said in a social media post. “FAA technicians are investigating the issue.”
It is unclear if the groundstop will affect the reentry plans for Starship Flight 15, given the recent FAA approval for the launch.
SpaceX says it’s still on track: “On track for Starship’s 15th flight. The 75-minute launch window opens at 4:45p.m. CT. Live coverage of the mission begins ~42 minutes before launch.,” the company wrote on X.
Tariq Malik
Game on! SpaceX gets FAA approval for Starship Flight 15
SpaceX is officially “go” to proceed with its Starship Flight 15 launch attempt today (Nov. 13). The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the green light this afternoon — pretty late in the game for an approval to come in.
Flight 15 is scheduled to launch during a 75-minute window that opens at 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT). You can watch here at Space.com, starting at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT).
The test flight will make history, if all goes according to plan: SpaceX plans to catch both of Starship’s stages back at the Starbase launch site using the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms — something that has never been done before. The booster catch will come just 6.5 minutes after launch, while the upper-stage snag is scheduled for Saturday afternoon (Nov. 14), after 22.5 hours post-liftoff.
Mike Wall
SpaceX just hours away from Starship Flight 15 launch
Replay! SpaceX launches Starship Flight 15, booster splashes down – YouTube
Watch On
SpaceX is now less than 5 hours away from the planned launch of its Starship Flight 15 test flight from Starbase, Texas, with liftoff still on track for 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT). The company is still awaiting FAA approval for today’s launch, so that could be a hurdle for the flight.
SpaceX has updated its start time for today’s Starship Flight 15 launch webcast. Instead of starting 30 minutes before liftoff, it will now begin at 4:58 p.m. EST (2158 GMT), according to the company’s livestream schedule on X. Our livestream will begin at the same time.
SpaceX has a 75-minute launch window for Starship Flight 15. Based on road closure announcements from Starbase officials, backup days may be available on Saturday and Sunday.
Tariq Malik
SpaceX stacks Starship Flight 15 megarocket for launch
Good morning, Space Fans, it is launch day for SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 and the world’s largest rocket is now hours away from attempting its first double landing test flight. Liftoff remains on target for today, Nov. 13, at 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT) from SpaceX’s Starbase launch site in South Texas. You’ll be able to watch the Starship Flight 15 launch on this page, as well as on Space.com’s homepage and our YouTube channel VideoFromSpace. Our live webcast will begin at 5:15 p.m. EST (2215 GMT).
Last night, SpaceX rolled the Ship 42 upper stage out to the Starship launch pad and stacked it atop its Super Heavy booster. The Ship’s number was accompanied by a fun sci-fi message – “Don’t Panic” – in a nod to the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy books by Douglas Adams. Elon Musk’s Tesla bore the same message when SpaceX launched it into space on the first Falcon Heavy mission.
Space.com’s Josh Dinner is on site at Starbase and will be providing updates as possible from Starbase, which we’ll share here as they’re received.
Here’s an update from Josh from the launch pad:
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 is the 15th test flight of Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket. SpaceX has designed the rocket to be fully reusable, and has landed its massive Super Heavy first stage booster several times.
Flight 15 is SpaceX’s first attempt to land both the Super Heavy booster and its Ship upper stage by returning them to their launch pad and catching them in the pad’s metal “Chopstick” arms. The landings will be about 22 hours apart, with Super Heavy landing minutes after launch and the Ship upper stage returning to Starbase on Saturday afternoon.
We’ll be updating this page throughout the day with news from Josh, SpaceX and Starbase for this unprecedented 22.5-hour test flight. Here’s our full timeline for SpaceX Starship Flight 15.
Tariq Malik
Starship Flight 15 may be visible in the night sky!
SpaceX is now less than 24 hours from the planned launch of its Starship Flight 15 mission, with liftoff on track for Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT). The test flight will attempt land both the Starship Super Heavy Booster 22 and its Ship 42 upper stage.
Because the mission will last 22.5 hours, Starship will likely be visible in the night sky to stargazers hoping to see the giant spacecraft in orbit. Space.com’s Skywatching Writer Anthony Wood has a great guide on how to see Starship in the night sky.
“When it passes overhead, it will look like a bright, fast-moving star crossing the sky — similar to the International Space Station, but potentially even brighter depending on its orientation,” our skywatching columnist Joe Rao told Wood.
Check out the full story:
SpaceX’s Starship megarocket will launch to orbit on Nov. 13. Will you be able to spot it in the night sky?
Tariq Malik
SpaceX Starship Flight 15 explained
Happy Wednesday, Space Fans. We are now T-2 days away from SpaceX’s planned launch of its Starship Flight 15 test mission, so I wanted to take a moment to give you a run down on what to expect.
Today, you can read my full guide to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 launch here, which goes over what time and where to watch the launch online. Liftoff is on track for Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:45 p.m. CST, which is 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT). But it ALSO (and this is new) includes what time to tune in a day later for the planned Starship upper stage (Ship) landing and catch by the metal “Chopstick” arms of its landing pad at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Teas.
If you’re wondering how the rocket’s assembly is going, our Spaceflight Editor Mike Wall has this update on the Starship Flight 15 Super Heavy booster going through final catch tests yesterday. Flight 15 will mark the first time SpaceX will attempt to land and catch both the Super Heavy booster (which it has done several times) and the Ship from orbit.
If successful, it will be the first full recovery of an entire orbital rocket from space.
Tariq Malik
Hello, Space Fans, and welcome to our coverage of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 test flight, the first ever to attempt twin landings of the Starship Super Heavy booster and Ship upper stage.
SpaceX has officially set the launch date for Flight 15 for Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT). That puts launch just about 3 days away and Space.com will provide live coverage of the potentially historic flight, the first full recovery of an orbital rocket.
Space.com Spaceflight Writer Josh Dinner will be reporting live from near SpaceX’s Starbase , Texas site for the launch, with myself (Tariq Malik), Spaceflight and Tech Editor Mike Wall and other team members tracking the flight remotely for you here. SpaceX has already test-fired the engines on its Starship Flight 15 vehicles.
Today, SpaceX moved Super Heavy Booster 22, the first stage for Flight 15, to the launch pad for vehicle stacking. Here are some photos of that move:
We’ll be updating this page regularly in the days ahead counting down to SpaceX’s Starship Flight 15 launch (and landings). So check back for updates each day.
Tariq Malik