# SpaceX carries out first-ever spaceship capture

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/spacex-carries-out-first-ever-spaceship-capture/
- Published: 2026-11-14T21:35:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T22:33:18+00:00
- Original publisher: DW (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.dw.com/en/spacex-carries-out-first-ever-spaceship-capture/a-79950275?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Topics: Space, Technology, World

## Key points

- SpaceX caught Starship at its Texas launch tower after a 22-hour flight.
- The spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink satellites during 14 Earth orbits.
- The Super Heavy booster exploded after its recovery attempt was aborted.

## Summary

SpaceX has recovered the Starship spacecraft by guiding it between the launch tower’s mechanical arms in Texas, the first time the company has caught the ship after a flight. The achievement marks a significant step towards making the rocket system reusable, a goal central to SpaceX’s plans for its business and future crewed missions.

The spacecraft returned after more than 22 hours in orbit, circling Earth 14 times and deploying 26 Starlink satellites, during the system’s 15th test flight. SpaceX’s attempt to recover the Super Heavy booster was aborted after its engines stopped firing too soon; its guidance system triggered self-destruction, and engineers are investigating. NASA welcomed the milestone, as it is paying billions for Starship to support future Artemis Moon missions and a planned lunar base.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.