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Ars Technica
SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight
SpaceX achieved a meaningful milestone with the successful splashdown of its Starship after its 13th test flight, marking a significant improvement in the vehicle's recovery process. This successful return has provided valuable data on the heat shield's performance and durability. Encouraged by this achievement, SpaceX plans to try catching Starship with a tower on the next flight, an advancement that suggests an increasing capability for rapid reuse of the spacecraft. The implications extend to potential orbital refueling and operational missions that culminate in enhanced services, like upgraded Starlink satellites.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 25 Jul 2026, 17:55 UTC8 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Starship's flight 13 culminated in an intact splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
- SpaceX plans to catch Starship during its next launch using tower arms.
- The heat shield performed well, providing critical data for future missions.
- Starship deployed upgraded Starlink V3 satellites during the flight.
- The success may accelerate SpaceX’s plans for orbital operations.
Interesting facts
- This was the first intact Starship to reach water after a test flight.
- Mechanical arms previously used for the Super Heavy booster may be repurposed for Starship.
- SpaceX used signals from Starlink for real-time communication post-splashdown.