SpaceX is preparing for the 15th and 16th Starship missions, scheduled for November and December 2026, respectively. The company aims to catch both the Super Heavy booster and the Ship during the November flight. Flight 16 is currently targeted for a launch from Launch Complex 39A in Florida, which would mark the first Starship mission from the East Coast.
The 15th mission is tentatively set for November 8. Before launch, the vehicle must complete static fire tests. Ship 42 recently underwent a cryogenic proof test after engine removal, which was linked to a software issue identified in the previous flight. Booster 22 is currently preparing for its own pre-launch static fire test.
SpaceX is expanding its infrastructure to support higher flight rates. The FAA is reviewing a proposal that could eventually allow up to 456 Starship launches and 912 landings per year at Starbase. The plan includes two phases, with the first raising the annual limit to 100 launches and removing current time-of-day and weekend restrictions.
The transition to higher launch frequencies depends on the completion of new production facilities, such as the Gigabay at Starbase. SpaceX also plans to utilize the transport barge You’ll Thank Me Later to move vehicles to the Kennedy Space Center for operations at Launch Complex 39A. These regulatory and operational plans remain subject to ongoing environmental reviews.
