# SpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first

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9 outlets covering · First listed: Washington Examiner, Nov 14, 2026, 4:57 PM · Read it: <https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4804048/spacex-starship-returns-orbit-captured-launch-pad-arms-dramatic-first/>

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX’s Starship made a triumphant return to Earth on Saturday, caught in midair by giant mechanical arms where its journey began 22 hours earlier. It was the grand finale that Elon Musk and his team hoped for — the first-ever capture of a Starship flying back from space. But with

AI summary (may contain mistakes): SpaceX's Starship returned from orbit and was captured midair by launch pad arms, the first such recovery of the vehicle, according to reports. The first-stage booster exploded shortly after Friday's liftoff from Texas, so the company fell short of a planned double catch, PBS NewsHour reported.

## Who's covering it

In the order they published:

- 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. The test proved partially successful, but ended in a historic first.
- Nov 13, 2026, 5:03 PM: [SpaceX launches first-of-its-kind Starship test flight](<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launches-starship-flight-rocket/>) — CBS News (TV network, United States, rated Lean left)
  The SpaceX Super Heavy-Starship was designed from the ground up to be fully reusable in a bid to lower launch costs.
- Nov 14, 2026, 2:54 PM: [SpaceX successfully catches Starship after launch for the first time](<https://www.engadget.com/2316926/watch-spacex-attempt-to-catch-the-starship-upper-stage-for-the-first-time/>) — Engadget (Digital news, United States)
  While the company has pulled off this trick a few times with Super Heavy boosters, it was a first for the Ship.
- Nov 14, 2026, 3:32 PM: [SpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first](<https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxNOERhUktkSjNrXzRTU1BmN20xXzk4WE9HT2V1ek5MeHZGYW1KU2tOMzdLbm8xc2J1NXBSWi03S0Rudld0amJUdHkwWVQ1YnZfRVhhMGhaV0FzSWJMR2Nfc3FWVXlZWUtieWRPaUlwSTUzUTBKZ3d4bF9VYThwR0RvQmlaQzJsTmowems1aHJSUGFpTEpsbjRn?oc=5>) — AP (Wire service, United States, rated Center)
- Nov 14, 2026, 3:32 PM: [SpaceX catches Starship at launch pad 22 hours after liftoff in a dramatic first](<https://tech.yahoo.com/science/articles/spacex-starship-returns-orbit-captured-213234648.html>) — Yahoo News (Digital news, United States, rated Lean left)
- Nov 14, 2026, 3:56 PM: [SpaceX's Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first](<https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/spacexs-starship-returns-from-orbit-and-is-captured-by-launch-pad-arms-in-a-dramatic-first>) — PBS NewsHour (Public broadcaster, United States, rated Lean left)
  It was the grand finale that Elon Musk and his team hoped for — the first-ever capture of a Starship flying back from space. But with the first-stage booster exploding shortly after Friday's liftoff from Texas, the company fell short of its desired double catch.
- Nov 14, 2026, 4:54 PM: [SpaceX’s Starship, after mishap, returns from orbit and is captured by launchpad](<https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-11-14/spacexs-starship-after-mishap-returns-from-orbit-is-captured-by-launchpad>) — Los Angeles Times (Newspaper, United States, rated Lean left)
  SpaceX’s Starship is back on Earth, captured in midair by giant mechanical arms at its Texas launchpad. A day earlier its booster exploded, foiling its plans for a double capture.
- Nov 14, 2026, 4:57 PM: [SpaceX’s Starship returns from orbit and is captured by launch pad arms in a dramatic first](<https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4804048/spacex-starship-returns-orbit-captured-launch-pad-arms-dramatic-first/>) — Washington Examiner (Magazine, United States, rated Lean right)
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX’s Starship made a triumphant return to Earth on Saturday, caught in midair by giant mechanical arms where its journey began 22 hours earlier. It was the grand finale that Elon Musk and his team hoped for — the first-ever capture of a Starship flying back from space. But with
- Nov 14, 2026, 5:08 PM: [SpaceX Starship historic landing](<https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQNmY5V2Zob09CTmF0VXY2SFVudFphNExaT3JjQ25lTmJTNmdrTC1SSGhzUDBGaHh0TDNGQWxSakNualJDUUVFZjhpUzduSEc0a2tRWGc5Yk51Ynh3Vm1FTUtqUVpUcmR6WlhWTGJwelpYZjZQVmJpOVBVM3BXdDRmdjY3S3Y4SEtfSDQtNm0yb3VoQ3lPTElRZ1BOekxxODRhYU1nWkpiQmJqY0E?oc=5>) — CNN (TV network, United States, rated Lean left)