SpaceX is gearing up for a historic test: the company plans to attempt catching the upper stage of its Starship rocket directly with the launch tower’s mechanical arms — nicknamed Mechazilla — following its return from space. This milestone is scheduled for the upcoming Flight 14, which is expected to take place in early September 2026. The goal is a key step toward achieving full reusability: if successful, it will significantly reduce launch costs by allowing the rocket stage to be reused almost immediately. Alongside this mechanical feat, the mission will also deploy an initial batch of upgraded Starlink V3 satellites, aimed at substantially increasing the network’s bandwidth.
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