SpaceX Plans to Catch Starship with Tower During Flight 9, According to FCC Filing

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Potential Catch Attempt During SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9

A recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reveals plans for SpaceX to attempt catching the upper stage of its Starship booster with the launch tower during its upcoming Flight 9. This development comes on the heels of an advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicating that Starship Flight 8 is expected to occur later this month, potentially as soon as February 26. The implication is clear: SpaceX is strategically positioning itself to test its catch technology in Flight 8 and hopes to execute a successful catch during the subsequent mission.

Overview of Recent Starship Flights

During Starship Flight 7, SpaceX introduced its second-generation upper-stage rocket, featuring larger fuel tanks, advanced heat shield tiles, and upgraded avionics systems. Unfortunately, this maiden flight ended prematurely when the vehicle disintegrated upon reentry into the atmosphere over the Bahamas as it was headed toward the Indian Ocean. Following this incident, an investigation was launched by the FAA, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the failure.

The latest advisory from the FAA hints that this investigation may soon conclude, which is crucial since SpaceX requires FAA clearance to proceed with any Starship flights to ensure safety measures are in place to prevent future mishaps.

Image shows the Super Heavy booster lighting up its engines for a full duration static fire — Starship Super Heavy during a static fire test conducted earlier this month. Image: SpaceX

Importance of Catching the Starship

The recent FCC filing also suggests that Flight 9 could mark a significant milestone for SpaceX, as it seeks to catch the upper-stage Starship with its launch tower. This initiative echoes efforts made with the Super Heavy booster, underscoring the importance of enhanced reusability in SpaceX’s operational strategy. By successfully catching and refurbishing upper-stage Starships, the company aims to maximize its flight capabilities to Mars and enable efficient propellant resupply missions in Earth orbit, drastically reducing costs associated with space travel.

In the FCC document, the upcoming flights list contingencies for both the booster and the upper-stage vehicle, indicating they might return to the launch site or conduct a controlled water landing. SpaceX has had promising results with its Super Heavy booster, managing to catch it twice out of three attempts. Each catch will necessitate rigorous safety evaluations of the rocket and the launch infrastructure beforehand. The planned catch of the upper-stage Starship will be contingent upon insights gained from the outcomes of Flight 8.

The Path Forward: NASA’s Artemis Missions

If SpaceX successfully executes the catch with the launch tower, it will pave the way for a critical objective that remains central to the future of human space exploration. This goal involves demonstrating to NASA the ability to refuel one spacecraft from another while in orbit. Such a capability is crucial for supporting NASA’s Artemis missions, particularly for the Human Landing System (HLS), which will play a pivotal role in lunar landings.

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