On 13 November 2026, local time, the American company SpaceX conducted the 15th test launch of the super-heavy Starship rocket from the Starbase launch complex in Texas. After the spacecraft separated, the Super Heavy booster was due to return to the launch pad, where it was to be captured by the landing tower’s mechanical manipulators. However, due to a malfunction, SpaceX cancelled the manoeuvre, after which the booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded. Despite this, the Starship spacecraft successfully reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites.
- On 13 November, SpaceX carried out the 15th test launch of the Starship rocket in Texas.
- The company has cancelled the plan to grasp the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower’s mechanical manipulators.
- The accelerator fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded. The cause of the fault is being investigated.
- The Starship spacecraft successfully entered orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites.
- SpaceX is preparing for its first attempt to return the Starship spacecraft itself to the launch pad on 14 November.
Why did the Starship booster explode in the Gulf of Mexico?
Rocket Starship Standing 124 metres tall, it was launched from the Starbase spaceport, located near the US-Mexico border. During the launch, 33 Raptor engines fitted to the Super Heavy booster were in operation.
Following the successful separation of the spacecraft, the booster began its return to the launch site. According to plan SpaceX, the control tower was supposed to capture him using special mechanical manipulators known as Mechazilla.
However, approximately six minutes after launch, the company aborted the capture attempt due to a malfunction. The booster was redirected towards the Gulf of Mexico, where it fell into the water and exploded.
SpaceX representatives explained that the safety of the launch complex remains the top priority during testing. Therefore, should any technical issues arise, the system may automatically abort the rocket’s return to the tower.
The exact cause of the fault has not yet been established. The company has not disclosed which specific component of the accelerator caused the landing to be aborted.
Starship successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites
Despite the loss of the first stage, the upper stage of the rocket continued to carry out the flight programme.
The Starship spacecraft reached Earth orbit and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. These are intended to expand SpaceX’s satellite internet network.
This enabled the company to complete a significant part of the test even after the failed attempt to return the accelerator.
According to the Associated Press, the mission is scheduled to involve approximately 15 orbits around the Earth at an altitude of around 275 kilometres. The total duration of the flight could exceed 22 hours.
SpaceX is preparing for another historic landing attempt
The main objective of the 15th test flight was to return both Starship stages to the launch pad. SpaceX had previously successfully recovered Super Heavy boosters on three occasions, but this time it was testing an upgraded version.
The next stage is to be the first recovery of the Starship spacecraft itself following its return from orbit.
According to the preliminary schedule, the manoeuvre is expected to take place on 14 November at approximately 23:15 Kyiv time. The final decision will depend on the condition of the vessel and the results of checks on its systems.
SpaceX needs both stages to return successfully in order to create a fully reusable rocket system. The company plans to use Starship to launch large constellations of satellites, for NASA’s Artemis lunar programme, and for future missions to Mars.
As of 14 November 2026, SpaceX confirmed the loss of the booster and the successful deployment of the Starlink satellites. The spacecraft’s future depends on the outcome of its planned return to Earth.
