Watch SpaceX will attempt its 1st-ever 'chopsticks' Starship landing catch of a rocket from orbit today (livestream)

SpaceX aims to make history by attempting the first-ever catch of Starship's upper stage during its 15th test flight on November 14. The launch occurred from SpaceX's Starbase site in South Texas, with the vehicle rising into the sky. The mission plan had envisioned both stages returning to Starbase and being caught using the launch tower's chopstick arms, a historic first.

However, the Super Heavy booster was redirected to a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico six minutes after launch due to a guidance and navigation issue. Despite this setback, SpaceX remains confident in the possibility of catching the Ship upper stage. The catch is scheduled for around 4:20 p.m. EST, roughly 22.5 hours after lift-off.

This attempt would not only be a first for SpaceX but also a crucial step towards enabling faster inspection, refurbishment, and reflight of Starship, ultimately facilitating the deployment of an extensive network of satellites for SpaceX's Starmind AI data-center constellation.