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SpaceX launched Starship on its 15th test flight, but its booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.
Starship reached orbit during the Nov. 13 flight, while the Super Heavy booster diverted from its planned return and landed in the Gulf. SpaceX planned to attempt to catch the Starship upper stage at Starbase on Saturday, after assessing whether it was ready to return.
What the reports agree on
- SpaceX launched Starship from Starbase, Texas, on its 15th test flight. CBS News, Guardian World, PBS NewsHour, Ars Technica
- The Super Heavy booster diverted from its planned return and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. CBS News, PBS NewsHour, Ars Technica
- Starship continued toward orbit after the booster diverted. CBS News, PBS NewsHour, Ars Technica
- SpaceX planned a Saturday attempt to return the Starship upper stage to the launch pad or tower. CBS News, PBS NewsHour, Ars Technica
Where reports differ
- CBS News said a technical problem led controllers to divert the booster; Guardian World said the cause was unknown. CBS News
- Guardian World said the Starship was expected to make about 14 orbits over roughly 22 hours. Guardian World
- PBS NewsHour said the flight was expected to last 22 hours if no further problems occurred. PBS NewsHour
- Ars Technica reported that Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites and reached low-Earth orbit. Ars Technica
Reported by one outlet
- The booster separated about two minutes and 20 seconds after liftoff. CBS News
- The booster burst into flames after residual propellants ignited. CBS News
- The Super Heavy booster had 33 Raptor engines that fired during takeoff. Guardian World
- SpaceX has caught the Super Heavy booster on three earlier test flights, but has never caught the Ship. BBC World
The original reports
- Ars Technica Starship flight 15 powers to orbit—setting up a possible catch on Saturday
- PBS NewsHour SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster malfunction thwarts double catch attempt
- Guardian World SpaceX Starship megarocket blasts off before expected return for reuse
- CBS News SpaceX launches first-of-its-kind Starship test flight
- BBC World SpaceX to attempt double catch of huge Starship rocket