# SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion prevents an unprecedented double catch

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11 outlets covering · First listed: Phys.org, Nov 14, 2026, 12:34 AM · Read it: <https://phys.org/news/2026-11-spacex-starship-soars-orbit-booster.html>

SpaceX's attempt to recover its entire Starship back at the launch pad was thwarted when the booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded Friday, but the spacecraft still soared into orbit in its boldest test yet.

## Who's covering it

In the order they published:

- Nov 13, 2026, 8:30 AM: [SpaceX’s Latest Starship Launch Skips Attempt to Catch the Booster](<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/13/science/spacex-launch-starship-rocket-catch.html>) — New York Times (Newspaper, United States, rated Lean left)
  SpaceX could still try to catch the rocket’s upper stage tomorrow. Progress toward a fully reusable rocket remains mixed.
- Nov 13, 2026, 11:30 AM: [SpaceX’s Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion prevents an unprecedented double catch](<https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxPbEJSd3lrcThXUUdyRWY1M1JSVzRrdG9OcFVQTUVRRXItcjlnN19uSFdqV1BJdEVFelI3anBNZm9lZkpsREYyTXNUVG5ndU5tZmlGY0ZtaGs5RHpQX0pVSllTV0M4RnlMeTFubXBydjVqN0k1V3VpeEZ1SEtVSUwtVkNIOWw5RDU4bWpJWmdwaHR2R2s0a0hR?oc=5>) — AP (Wire service, United States, rated Center)
- Nov 13, 2026, 11:30 AM: [SpaceX's Starship double catch thwarted as booster ends up in Gulf of Mexico](<https://tech.yahoo.com/science/articles/spacex-aims-first-double-catch-173002819.html>) — Yahoo News (Digital news, United States, rated Lean left)
- Nov 13, 2026, 12:45 PM: [Can SpaceX catch its Starship?](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-spacex-catch-its-starship/>) — Scientific American (Magazine, United States)
  The 15th spaceflight of SpaceX’s giant launch vehicle aimed for something unprecedented: snatching both rocket stages from midair after a journey to orbit. So far, it’s proved only partially successful.
- Nov 13, 2026, 1:30 PM: [Starship Flight 15 Lifts Off, SpaceX Fails to Catch Booster](<https://gizmodo.com/watch-live-as-spacex-tries-to-catch-both-starship-stages-for-the-first-time-2000839576>) — Gizmodo (Digital news, United States)
  The Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico rather than returning to Starbase as planned.
- Nov 13, 2026, 2:12 PM: [Setback for SpaceX Starship rocket's double-catch test](<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckregdgnl0xpo>) — BBC (Public broadcaster, United Kingdom, rated Center)
  Elon Musk’s company aborted an attempted catch of the rocket’s booster - instead it came down in the ocean.
- Nov 13, 2026, 5:43 PM: [SpaceX aborts attempt to catch Starship booster rocket](<https://www.ft.com/content/ce7c8ab1-8337-4c32-8494-5142ec1697dd?syn-25a6b1a6=1>) — Financial Times (Newspaper, United Kingdom, rated Center)
  Elon Musk suffers setback in efforts to develop a completely reusable megarocket system
- Nov 13, 2026, 5:52 PM: [SpaceX’s Starship lifts off on unprecedented test flight](<https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxNbnJ6RTlBcXZPQzI2OHBDajlFa3NsZFVUcHVfZHJEZWFFLVNseURDcjZEOXhzaUpNeUxDazh0am1UWk9JcmRXbTZJcG4xeU5yTFhKY2ZWeEVWRTJQcmlZcHp5Nm9iMnY1YXNub1B6MndTNFR3bEF1WUFjR2Z2SUozVUdRVmxKNklwYktybUIyZ0Z1cVAwSUE?oc=5>) — CNN (TV network, United States, rated Lean left)
- Nov 13, 2026, 6:20 PM: [SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster malfunction thwarts double catch attempt](<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/spacexs-starship-soars-into-orbit-after-booster-malfunction-thwarts-double-catch-attempt>) — PBS NewsHour (Public broadcaster, United States, rated Lean left)
  SpaceX's attempt to recover its entire Starship back at the launch pad was thwarted when the booster malfunctioned and ended up in the water Friday, but the spacecraft still soared into orbit in its boldest test yet.
- Nov 13, 2026, 10:12 PM: [SpaceX’s Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion foils unprecedented maneuver](<https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-11-13/spacexs-starship-soars-into-orbit-after-booster-explosion>) — Los Angeles Times (Newspaper, United States, rated Lean left)
  SpaceX has lost out on its attempt to recover its entire Starship back at the Texas launchpad after a booster explosion Friday, though the spacecraft successfully reached orbit.
- Nov 14, 2026, 12:34 AM: [SpaceX's Starship soars into orbit after booster explosion prevents an unprecedented double catch](<https://phys.org/news/2026-11-spacex-starship-soars-orbit-booster.html>) — Phys.org (Science news)
  SpaceX's attempt to recover its entire Starship back at the launch pad was thwarted when the booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico and exploded Friday, but the spacecraft still soared into orbit in its boldest test yet.
