SpaceX recently completed a Starship flight, achieving controlled landings in the ocean for both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft. The company aims to eventually land both stages at Starbase, but the first attempt to recover the upper-stage Starship at the launch site is projected for future flights.
Early test flights, specifically flights 5, 7, and 8, demonstrated SpaceX’s ability to return the 71-meter-tall Super Heavy booster to the launchpad at Starbase, located in southern Texas. These operations involved the use of mechanical arms on the launch tower, which secured the vehicle just above the ground after its descent.
For subsequent flights, up to and including flight 10, SpaceX adopted a different approach for booster recovery. The company chose to guide the booster into the sea. This decision was influenced by the desire to test a landing procedure characterized as steeper and more fuel efficient. The intentional sea landings were intended to mitigate the potential risk of damage to the launch site in the event of landing anomalies or failures.
The developmental plan for the upper-stage Starship spacecraft includes its return to the launch site, similar to the procedure employed for the Super Heavy booster. Presently, Starship landings have been conducted in the ocean, with some flights encountering pre-landing failures. The ultimate goal is to achieve controlled landings of both stages at Starbase to facilitate rapid reusability.
Elon Musk, head of SpaceX, addressed speculation regarding the first attempt to land the upper-stage Starship at Starbase. He stated that this initial attempt will “probably” occur during flight 13, 14, or 15. The specific flight for this landing attempt is contingent upon the performance of the next iteration of the Starship vehicle, designated version 3.
The next scheduled flight will involve version 2 of the Starship, which is 123.1 meters tall. Version 3 will measure 124.4 meters and feature enhanced power capabilities. Reports suggest the next flight could occur in October.
Musk expressed his ambition to launch the first version 3 rocket, designated as flight 12, before the conclusion of the current year. This timeline suggests the possibility of the first Starship spacecraft landing at Starbase occurring as early as January, or at least within the first half of 2026. The realization of this timeline is dependent on the successful execution of upcoming Starship flights.
Achieving successful and routine landings of both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft is critical to SpaceX’s objective of full reusability for the Starship system. This capability would allow both stages of the vehicle to be quickly refurbished and refueled at the Starbase facility, thereby increasing launch frequency and reducing operational costs.
The fully operational Starship is intended to transport both crew and cargo to destinations including the Moon, and potentially Mars. The development of a reusable Starship system represents a key element in SpaceX’s long-term space exploration goals.
