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Starship Booster Skips Tower Catch as SpaceX Readies First Ship Catch
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Fusion42 · 14 November 2026 · Fusion42 review
SpaceX's 15th Starship test flight saw the Super Heavy booster fail to be caught by the launch tower's mechanical arms due to a technical problem, leading to a splashdown in the Gulf. The upper stage, Ship 42, proceeded to orbit and is planned to be caught by the tower on its return, marking a potential world-first full recovery of an orbital rocket.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Government & Space, and 6 sources have reported it.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
You now face a new opening in orbital rocket recovery as SpaceX nears its first successful catch of a Starship upper stage. Plan to move quickly on tech or service opportunities that support or complement rapid reusable spaceflight.
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6 sources · 14 Nov 2026
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