Starship may attempt first landing at Boca Chica after Friday launch

SpaceX may conduct the second orbital launch of Starship from Boca Chica as early as Friday, and could attempt to land both Starship and Super Heavy back at the launch site after a roughly 22-hour flight assuming “strict conditions” are met. SpaceX has brought Super Heavy back to the launch pad three times, the first on Oct. 13, 2024, but hasn’t yet attempted to do the same with Starship, opting instead for ocean landings. Two of the boosters that were retrieved were flown again. “If successful, this will mark the first full recovery of an orbital launch system and a breakthrough moment in making Starship a reliable, rapidly reusable rocket,” the company said. The 75-minute launch window for Flight 15 would open at 4:45 p.m. on Friday pending regulatory approval, according to SpaceX. The company said it will set up a safety zone perimeter in coordination with local law enforcement that will include temporary closures of State Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach. The plan is for Starship S42