SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its 15th flight Friday, November 13, marking another major milestone in the company's efforts to develop a fully reusable rocket system capable of supporting future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The mission also includes the deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, which are designed to expand SpaceX's next-generation satellite internet network and increase its capacity to deliver high-speed connectivity around the world.

One of the mission's most significant objectives is an attempt to recover both stages of the Starship launch system for the first time. The vehicle consists of the Super Heavy booster, which provides the initial thrust needed to leave the launchpad, and the Starship upper stage, which continues the journey into space.

SpaceX has spent years developing recovery and reuse technologies for both components, with the goal of eventually returning the entire launch system for inspection, refurbishment and another flight. Successfully recovering both stages would represent a major advancement in the company's reusable rocket program.

The technology is central to SpaceX's long-term ambitions to dramatically reduce the cost of reaching orbit, increase launch frequency and make larger-scale space operations more economically practical.

Starship is also a key component of NASA's plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface through the Artemis program. SpaceX is developing a version of the spacecraft to serve as a lunar lander, while Elon Musk has repeatedly outlined plans to eventually use the vehicle for crewed missions to Mars.

The 15th flight provides another opportunity for SpaceX to test its increasingly advanced rocket system, deploy additional satellites and demonstrate whether both stages can be recovered as the company moves closer to routine, fully reusable spaceflight.