On November 13, 2026, SpaceX conducted its 15th Starship test flight, marking a pivotal moment as it attempted to catch both the Super Heavy booster and the upper stage spacecraft at its launch site in Starbase, Texas. The flight, which lifted off at 4:47 p.m. local time, followed the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) authorization earlier that day.
However, the FAA also issued a nationwide ground stop due to communication issues affecting multiple air traffic control centers, although this did not impact SpaceX's flight license. During the test, SpaceX had to abandon its plan to recover the booster, opting instead for a splashdown in the ocean.
The success of the Starship program is crucial for SpaceX, as it aims to transport cargo and humans to the Moon and Mars. In the immediate term, the company is focused on expanding its Starlink satellite internet service, which is currently its main revenue source.
The test flight was intended to deploy a batch of new Starlink v3 satellites, with one Starship capable of carrying up to 60 satellites, significantly more than the Falcon 9 rockets. Analysts from William Blair noted that SpaceX is likely a decade ahead of its competitors in launch capabilities, suggesting that even if the booster recovery was unsuccessful, a delay would not be detrimental.
However, SpaceX is facing criticism regarding its Starshield service in Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported unexpected restrictions that hindered military operations against Russian attacks. This has drawn condemnation from U.S. senators, prompting calls for congressional investigation into SpaceX's actions