SpaceX Super Heavy Booster Malfunctions Mid-Air, Aborts Tower Catch Before Exploding | Video

Last Updated:November 14, 2026, 10:24 IST

The booster subsequently completed an offshore landing, bringing its recovery attempt to an end without a tower catch.

The malfunction triggered an automatic abort, diverting the booster towards the Gulf of Mexico. (Image Credit: Reuters)

SpaceX’s ambitious plan to recover both stages of its giant Starship rocket during the same mission hit a setback after its Super Heavy booster suffered a malfunction following separation from the Ship upper stage during Flight 15.

The malfunction triggered an automatic abort, diverting the booster towards the Gulf of Mexico instead of sending it back to the launch site in South Texas for a planned catch by the launch tower’s giant mechanical arms, known as Chopsticks.

The booster subsequently completed an offshore landing, bringing its recovery attempt to an end without a tower catch. While the first stage managed to land, it was not recovered at Starbase as SpaceX had planned.

Why Was Super Heavy Booster Catch Called Off?

The automatic abort prevented the booster from continuing along its planned return trajectory towards Starbase in Texas. Under the planned recovery sequence, the Super Heavy booster was supposed to return to the launch tower, where two giant mechanical arms, nicknamed Chopsticks, would catch and secure it.

However, the malfunction after stage separation forced the booster to divert towards the Gulf of Mexico. Its offshore landing meant the first stage completed a landing sequence, but the planned tower recovery could not take place.

First Offshore Landing For Super Heavy V3

Flight 15 was a significant test for the Super Heavy programme as it marked the first attempt by the V3 version of the booster to return for a tower catch. SpaceX has previously demonstrated successful recovery of three earlier Super Heavy boosters. The company is working towards making both stages of Starship reusable, a key part of its ambition to develop a fully reusable launch system.

Catching the booster at the launch tower is central to that goal. A successful recovery could reduce the need for ocean-based recovery operations and allow SpaceX to prepare the vehicle for another flight more quickly.

What Happens To Starship Upper Stage?

While the Super Heavy booster’s recovery attempt was cut short, the Ship upper stage is continuing with its separate mission. Starship is expected to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites and complete approximately 14 orbits around Earth before attempting its return to Starbase.

SpaceX is still targeting a historic tower-catch attempt for the Ship upper stage. If successful, it would mark the first time an orbital Starship upper stage is recovered at the launch site.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

Why did SpaceX abort the Super Heavy booster tower catch on Flight 15?

The Super Heavy booster suffered a mid-air malfunction following separation from the Ship upper stage, triggering an automatic abort that forced the booster to divert towards the Gulf of Mexico instead of returning to Starbase for a mechanical arm catch.

What is the mission objective for the Starship upper stage after the booster abort?

The Ship upper stage continued its separate mission to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, complete approximately 14 Earth orbits, and attempt a historic tower-catch recovery at Starbase.

What makes the Super Heavy V3 booster recovery attempt on Flight 15 significant?

Flight 15 marked the first time SpaceX attempted to return the upgraded V3 version of the Super Heavy booster for a tower catch using mechanical arms known as Chopsticks, following three previous successful booster recoveries.

Powered by

Ask News18

Read More