SpaceX launches Starship rocket aiming for first-ever recovery of both stages

SpaceX launched Starship Flight 15 from Starbase of Texas, attempting the first-ever double-stage recovery and catch of the massive 407-foot rocket. The first-stage Super Heavy booster malfunctioned and was diverted to the Gulf of Mexico, where it fell into the water and exploded, thwarting the first half of the double-catch attempt.

During its extended 22-hour flight, the spacecraft is tasked with deploying 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites and steering back toward the Starbase launch site for a historic attempt to catch the upper stage with the tower arms.