SpaceX will conduct the 11th launch of its largest rocket, Starship, on October 13. Before that, they tried to capture her accelerator with their large claws at Starbase. But that has changed.
After stage separation, the upper Ship module will perform a suborbital flight and gently descend into the Indian Ocean, just like in the 10th test in August. The first stage – Super Heavy – must also land carefully on water and not return to Starbase in Texas as before.
Previously, in several flights, SpaceX successfully landed rockets right on the launch pad. This makes it possible to reuse it and save significant money. However, the company has now changed its strategy.
As engineers explained, such landings are temporarily suspended because SpaceX is testing a new, more efficient landing method using larger angles. Landing in the ocean reduces the risk of damage to the launch facility if something goes wrong.
It's currently unknown when rockets will begin returning to Starbase again, but it will most likely happen in 2026.
