Recovered Starship Ship 40 Returns to Starbase for Inspection
SpaceX has brought Ship 40, the first Starship upper stage to survive an ocean landing and return to its launch facility, back to Starbase in Texas. The vehicle launched on July 24, 2026, during the 13th Starship test flight, splashed down in the Indian Ocean, and was towed for 24 days before being inspected near Christmas Island and carried home aboard the semi-submersible Forte. Now upright in a Megabay alongside three other ships, it is expected to provide unique data about its heat shield, Raptor engines, and avionics.
Ship 40 launched on July 24, 2026, atop Super Heavy Booster 20 during Starship’s 13th test flight. After splashing down in the Indian Ocean, it remained largely intact and was towed for 24 days before engineers examined it near Christmas Island and collected thermal-protection samples.
The 52-meter upper stage then traveled home aboard the semi-submersible Forte, reaching Brownsville on October 7, 2026. It was later raised upright in a Megabay beside three unfinished ships. SpaceX expects the recovered hardware to yield rare data on thermal shielding, propulsion hardware, and electronic systems.
The return could strengthen confidence in reusable orbital vehicles, potentially lowering launch costs over time and expanding access to research, communications, and Earth observation. Engineers and aerospace workers may gain practical lessons, while investors and policymakers could reassess timelines. The public may see faster progress toward routine spaceflight, though benefits depend on whether inspection leads to reliable reuse and whether Flight 15’s catch attempt succeeds.