SpaceX Plans Starship Upper Stage Catch in Spring 2026

SpaceX has announced plans to catch the Starship upper stage using its launch tower arms, known as "chopsticks," as early as spring 2026. This initiative follows the successful 11th test flight of Starship, which launched from the Starbase facility in Texas and achieved all major mission objectives. During this flight, the Super Heavy booster completed a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, while the upper stage executed an orbit burn, deployed mock Starlink satellites, and returned with a controlled reentry over the Indian Ocean.

The upcoming catch maneuver is intended to enhance the reusability of the Starship system, a key component of SpaceX's strategy to reduce launch costs and increase launch frequency. The company has been developing the Starship vehicle for missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as for deploying large numbers of satellites into orbit.

Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, confirmed the plan in response to an inquiry on social media platform X, stating that the tower catch attempt is scheduled for "springtime." This development marks a significant step toward achieving rapid reusability for the Starship system.