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Starship returned from orbit and was caught; booster lost in test
Starship returned from Earth orbit on Saturday and was caught for the first time by the Texas launch tower, according to the morning report. It completed 14 orbits and deployed 26 satellites. The Super Heavy booster was lost at sea, preventing the planned double catch. This is progress toward reusing both stages, rather than completion of every test objective. Photo: Reuters, Starship system on the launch pad; illustrative archive.
· Photo: Reuters, Starship system on the launch pad; illustrative archive
According to N12, SpaceX's Starship returned from Earth orbit on Saturday and was caught for the first time by mechanical arms on the Texas launch tower, but the booster did not return safely.
The spacecraft returned about 22 hours after launch. According to the report, it completed 14 orbits and deployed 26 Starlink satellites. The achievement is catching the spacecraft itself, following booster catches in earlier tests.
The Super Heavy booster was lost at sea on Friday. According to SpaceX, its engines stopped too early during return and guidance directed it toward the sea because it was not in the correct position.
The program aims to reuse both stages, but this test did not achieve the planned double catch. Both stages were not successfully recovered on this mission.
Source: N12
