Starship Flight 15 Is Set for Friday With a First Attempt to Catch Both Booster and Ship

Flight 14, on 28 September, was the first Starship to reach orbit and released all 26 satellites, but an engine problem ended the mission early, after about three hours instead of the planned ten, per the same report. SpaceX has caught Super Heavy boosters before, on Flights 5, 7 and 8, but has never caught a ship. Elon Musk has said a ship catch is "more likely than not," according to The Week.

Does SpaceX have FAA approval for the double catch?

Not as of the latest reports this desk found. NASASpaceflight reported on 6 November, as relayed by Space Launch Schedule, that the dual catch attempt was awaiting an FAA green light, with the vehicles in final checkouts. Starlust likewise says the launch is pending regulatory approval, and notes that an FAA notice covers possible re-entry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean in a primary window from 6:53 p.m. to 8:14 p.m. Eastern on Friday, with backups through 20 November. The ship would return to Starbase only if its status meets approved conditions.

The Week adds that the ship will come down on its own if controllers judge it unhealthy, and that either stage can land in the Gulf of Mexico if a catch is cancelled.

How can you watch Starship Flight 15?

SpaceX normally streams on its website and on X, starting about 30 minutes before liftoff, according to Space Launch Schedule and Starlust. Any regulatory announcement on Friday will decide whether the catch plan, and the window itself, goes ahead as described.