SpaceX plans to catch both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship second stage using the launch tower arms during the 15th flight of Starship, according to Space Wave Japan.
Flight 15 Timeline and Launch Window
The launch window spans 75 minutes. It begins at 4:45 PM local time on Friday, November 13th in Texas, which corresponds to 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 14th in Japan Standard Time, Space Wave Japan reported.
スターシップ第15回飛行のContingency Landing Options (発射場に戻れない場合の5つの着水候補海域）(出典：スペースX) pic.twitter.com/bt3GaECizg
SpaceX intends to execute a hot-staging maneuver. The second stage ignites its engines while still connected to the first stage before separating two minutes and 21 seconds after liftoff.
The Super Heavy first stage will execute a boostback burn and a landing burn to return to the launch site. Space Wave Japan said the scheduled time for the launch tower arms to catch the first stage is 6 minutes and 35 seconds after liftoff, with a V3 first stage.
Orbital Operations and Satellite Deployment
Following separation, the second stage will shut down and reignite its engines 26 minutes and 10 seconds after liftoff to enter Earth orbit. The vehicle is planned to orbit the Earth about 14 times at an altitude of about 275 kilometers, according to Space Wave Japan.
Deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites is scheduled to start 35 minutes and 1 second after liftoff. It will conclude 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 40 seconds after liftoff.
Three of these satellites feature cameras designed to photograph Starship’s heat shield. Ground teams will use these photographs to help decide whether to return the second stage to the launch site.
Second Stage Return and Recovery Attempt
Should the vehicle meet return conditions after orbiting, the engines will fire 21 hours, 35 minutes, and 57 seconds after liftoff to decelerate for atmospheric re-entry, Space Wave Japan said.
Re-entry is scheduled for 22 hours, 10 minutes, and 46 seconds after liftoff. The tower catch is planned for 22 hours, 32 minutes, and 34 seconds after liftoff.
“I’m going to cry if I see that tower catch Starship on Flight 15. After all these years, we could finally see both stages of an orbital rocket come home. 😭✨❤️” said Takae Yamaguchi, Space Wave Japan.
