SpaceX changes its mind about chasing Starship with launch tower on next launch – first attempt delayed by months

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation Delay First attempt to capture Starship’s upper stage using Mechazilla launch tower: the company is expected to do this, but is not planning to do it on its next test flight “a few months later” SpaceX CEO Musk said. Previously, he promised that the next Starship 14th test launch would be the first time the Starship returned directly to the tower, but the plan was revised.

Take a photo of the tower assembly of the first stage of the starship. Image source: SpaceX

Let us remind you that we are talking about the most difficult phase of the transition plan to fully reusable the Starship missile system. So far, the Mechazilla’s turret manipulator has been successfully used to grab only the super-heavy’s first stage after returning to the launch pad. The Starship upper stage is different – it descends from orbit at a higher speed, which greatly increases the difficulty of picking up the spacecraft with the launch tower.

According to available data, the reason for the transfer was not only the need to prepare additional equipment for complex maneuvers, but also the desire to obtain more data after the last flight. During the 13th test in July 2026, the Starship survived re-entry intact and splashed down in the Indian Ocean for the first time since orbit, allowing engineers to obtain valuable material to analyze thermal protection, hull design and the behavior of the device during re-entry. Now that the ship has been towed to Christmas Island, they are deciding how to transport it to the United States.

It should also be remembered that SpaceX not only needs regulatory permission to launch, but also for the descent of the spacecraft. Regulatory indecision may also force a delay in the first attempt to pick up the ship. Another thing is that the progress of the Starship test is extremely important for NASA’s new moon program, which itself is facing pressure from China. However, Musk continues to insist on a relatively quick attempt to capture the Starship as it returns from orbit. According to him, the repaired spacecraft will definitely fly into space for the second time at the end of this year or early next year.

As for the 14th test flight, it is expected to take place in the next few days. This time the spacecraft will enter orbit for the first time. Before that, he had only flown to suborbital altitudes. No wonder the company decided not to risk the towers. This will be a mission with a new introduction and perhaps an unexpected ending.