SpaceX Starship Flight 15 deploys Starlink satellites, booster explodes over Gulf

SpaceX launched Starship Flight 15 from Starbase, Texas, on Nov. 13, 2026, placing the upper stage into a nominal orbit. The mission deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites about 40 minutes into the flight, and the satellites “safely made it into orbit.”

The Super Heavy booster did not return to the launch tower. CBS News said the rocket made a splashdown off the Texas Gulf Coast, exploding in a spectacular fireball moments before hitting the water. ChosunBiz reported that the booster developed an issue on its way back to the launch tower and veered off the recovery path, with its flight path redirected toward the Gulf of Mexico. The exact cause of the anomaly was not immediately disclosed.

SpaceX’s Dan Huot said, “Not sure right now why we weren't able to bring it back.” He also said, “We’ve got a nominal orbit insertion, so Starship now in orbit around Earth for the second time ever.”

The upper stage is scheduled to return to Earth on Saturday, with SpaceX hoping to recover it using mechanical arms at the launch pad. Space.com reported that Ship is scheduled to circle Earth 14 times, spending more than 21 hours in space before coming home, and it said the vehicle would attempt to return to Starbase at approximately 4:17 p.m. EST about 22.5 hours after liftoff if conditions remain favorable.

This was the first attempt to recover both the first-stage booster and the second-stage spacecraft back on the launch tower. Until now, SpaceX has successfully recovered the Super Heavy booster three times using the giant mechanical arms mounted on the launch tower.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.