SpaceX is preparing what it describes as the most ambitious Starship test flight so far. Flight 15 is set to attempt a double landing for the first time, with both the upper ship and the Super Heavy booster planned to come back down after reaching orbit. The mission is scheduled to launch in two days, and the company's efforts to recover both stages in a single flight are being followed closely by the space industry.
The central goal is to prove that Starship can be fully reusable. SpaceX has long argued that reusing both stages is the key to driving down the cost of reaching orbit, since a rocket that can fly many times spreads its expense across far more launches. Landing both the ship and the booster on the same mission would be a significant step in that direction, showing that the vehicle can survive the demanding return from orbit and touch down intact.
The outcome of the landing attempts remains uncertain. Test flights of new rocket designs often reveal problems that are impossible to rule out before launch, and a successful double landing would be a clear milestone for the program. If it works, the result would strengthen the case for reusable launch vehicles as a practical route to cheaper access to space.
Coverage of the flight is being run as a live blog by Space.com, with editor-in-chief Tariq Malik as the lead byline. New Scientist is adding context on the technical and scientific stakes of the mission.
Credit. Based on reporting by Tariq Malik, Josh Dinner and Mike Wall for Space.com. Is this your work? Write to us.
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