Kathmandu, November 15

Starship 15, the most powerful rocket developed by Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX, has accomplished something no rocket has achieved before.

Launched from Starbase on November 14, the rocket reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites. It completed 14 orbits around Earth and remained in orbit for approximately 22 hours.

On November 15, the rocket returned and landed on the same tower from which it had been launched. In other words, it was caught by two massive robotic arms, known as ‘chopstick arms’, attached to the launch tower.

This marked a complete round trip, from launch to orbit and back to the same launch pad. The return of the spacecraft was the most challenging part of the mission.

The booster had previously been caught three times. However, the spacecraft had never before completed the process of returning from orbital velocity, enduring the heat of atmospheric re-entry, flipping over and hovering into position to be caught by the robotic arms.

The Starship system consists of the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy booster. Together, the vehicle stands 403 feet tall.

This was the 15th test flight of Starship. It was launched from Starbase in Texas, the United States, at 4:30 am Nepal time on Saturday.

According to SpaceX, all parts of the spacecraft, including its critical heat shield, appeared to have performed well.

Booster fails, but mission continues

SpaceX had planned a double catch, meaning both the booster and the spacecraft were expected to return and be caught by the launch tower. However, a technical problem occurred as the booster attempted to return. Mission controllers then diverted it away from the tower towards the Gulf of Mexico, where it exploded.

This was a V3 booster. SpaceX had previously caught the older version three times, but this was its first attempt to catch a V3 booster.

SpaceX’s Kate Tice said the booster’s engines shut down too early during its return.

The booster’s guidance system detected that it was not in the correct position. It therefore initiated a diversion towards the water and a self-destruct sequence.

What will a complete round trip change?

1. Space travel could become like air travel

The Falcon 9 could recover only its booster, whereas Starship is designed to recover the entire rocket. No parts need to be discarded or retrieved from the ocean. The rocket can simply land, refuel and fly again.

SpaceX aims to achieve one launch per week by the first half of 2027.

2. Data centres in space could become a reality

Musk plans to build a network of up to one million satellites in orbit that would serve as data centres for artificial intelligence.

Solar energy is available around the clock in space, cooling is free, and there is no need for land, water or electricity permits.

Starship can carry and return more than 100 tonnes of cargo in a single flight.

3. The path to the Moon and Mars could open up

An uncrewed landing on the Moon is planned for 2027. Starship is also designated as the lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis programme.

For missions to Mars, refuelling would have to take place in orbit, requiring dozens of launches.

That would only be possible with a fully reusable rocket. A new launch site worth $100 billion is being developed in Louisiana.

—Agencies