SpaceX officials say catch by mechanical arms shows Starship’s full reusability, crucial for rapid, low-cost recycling.
Published On 15 Nov 202615 Nov 2026
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft has returned to Earth, caught midair by giant mechanical arms where its journey began 22 hours earlier.
The spaceship emerged from a cloudy sky on Saturday, descending slowly over Starbase before slipping smoothly between mechanical “chopstick arms” above Launch Pad 2 in Texas – the first-ever capture of a Starship flying back from space.
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Soon afterwards, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk congratulated his “incredible team”.
SpaceX officials said Saturday’s catch demonstrates Starship’s full reusability, crucial for rapid, low-cost recycling.
However, with the first-stage booster exploding shortly after Friday’s liftoff from Texas, the company fell short of its desired double catch.
Separating neatly from its booster before things went awry, the upper-stage spacecraft soared into orbit and released 26 advanced Starlink satellites.
SpaceX Starship 42 returns from orbit to the launchpad on the 15th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, on November 14, 2026 [Steve Nesius/Reuters]
SpaceX’s Kate Tice said its engines stopped firing too soon on the way back down. The booster’s guidance system sensed it was not in the right position and automatically initiated the watery detour and self-destruction. Engineers are still investigating the cause.
Although Friday’s booster recovery failed, the company had already made three previous booster catches, validating the technique.
NASA, which is paying billions of dollars for Starship to land Artemis astronauts on the Moon later this decade, welcomed the achievement.
“It was almost magic,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on X.
Starship completed 14 laps around the Earth, 265km (165 miles), outshining the previous mission’s one to two laps.
SpaceX reported that everything on the spacecraft, including its vital heat shield, appeared to work well.
It was SpaceX’s 15th flight of a full-scale Starship since 2023 and its only second trip to orbit.
Starship, a 124-metre (407ft) behemoth, is the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, intended for Moon and Mars travel.
SpaceX expects to begin launching Starships from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center within the next few months.
Alighting at the train station of Santa Linya in northern Spain, I paused to wonder what the railway engineers were thinking. A rough halt hewn out of the mountainside, with no ticket office, no waiting room, no sign of human habitation – just a single platform in the wilderness. On the far side of the track, a shimmering turquoise lake flanked by pine forests. Ahead – the only way out – a rocky trail snaking up the limestone cliff.
My husband and I had first strayed into this western corner of Catalonia – Pallars Jussà – on our honeymoon road trip 21 years earlier. Seduced by its dramatic landscape of canyons, lakes, crumbling ruins and the formidable Noguera Pallaresa river thundering south from the Pyrenees, we had vowed to return one day. He loves mountains, I love water, we both love abandoned buildings; it was a geographical match made in heaven. Now those vows had come good – we were back, on a mission to go deeper into the hinterland.
What was apparent on that first trip was that the real gems were found far from tarmacked roads, which is how we ended up standing on the empty platform of what must surely be one of Spain’s most remote train stations, staring up at a very steep climb. We had arrived at Santa Linya on the Tren dels Llacs – the Lakes Train, a service that runs on a single track from the city of Lleida north to the mountain town of La Pobla de Segur. Following the river valley, the line takes in 40 tunnels and 75 bridges along its 55-mile (89km) route, winding through the spectacular landscape of the pre‑Pyrenees. We had chosen to ride the Tren Historic service, a 1960s locomotive in original livery, complete with period dining car and mail carriage. There was the option of a slicker, modern Tren Panoramic, but the varnished wood and vintage furnishings seemed more fitting in this timeless valley.
There was nowhere to go but up. The sun beat down as we began the ascent from the station towards the village of Santa Linya itself. It’s a three-and-a-half-mile rocky hike with a 190-metre (623ft) climb, so it seems unlikely any of the villagers are using this train as a commuter service. But this line isn’t about efficiency, and is all the better for it. Catching our breath in the village, we spotted a small signpost for our ultimate destination – a further four miles east, winding through Spanish oaks, almond and fig trees, the scent of rosemary drifting in the air. Our efforts were finally rewarded as we emerged from the trees at the Mirador del Balconet, a stomach-lurching cliff edge with a sweeping view over the Collegats Gorge and the Noguera Pallaresa River, a dizzying 300 metres below. That a world-class vista such as this is hidden away, miles from the nearest road, seems inconceivable – and reassuring – in our overshared world. Complete silence reigned. Griffon vultures soared and swooped on the thermals, so close we could almost make eye contact, before coming to land on their eyrie on the far side of the gorge.
Hopping on and off at the Tren dels Llacs’ request stops is a fine way to explore this region, but adding a bicycle helps to get deeper into the wilds. This is big country, with a vast network of ancient trails ideal for mountain biking, ranging from steep climbs and white-knuckle descents to gently rolling farm tracks, all linking numerous ruins, from castles to chapels and farmhouses, dotted across the hilltops. Our first trip had been during a roasting summer, but autumn temperatures in the foothills are reliably pleasant into November and ideal for cycling.Arriving in the town of Tremp on the train, we hired a couple of bikes and set off, eventually arriving at the lakeside Hotel Terradets near the village of Cellers (also on the train line), which is so bike-friendly it even has a workshop facility for its two-wheeled guests.
After all our exertion, the hotel appeared like a mirage to us weary travellers. With roots dating back a century, the Terradets was originally an inn providing food and shelter for merchants and muleteers traversing the Montsec mountains. Nowadays, it’s quite the stylish destination for outdoorsy types, offering bike and kayak hire, with a pool and terrace overlooking the Embalse de Terradets. This reservoir was created when the Noguera Pallaresa was dammed in 1935, and almost 100 years later it’s hard to believe the lake is not part of the natural landscape. Its shores are wild and unspoiled, with sandy beaches and pine groves, but beneath its calm, glassy waters lurk the ruins of the monastery of Sant Miquel de Cellers, submerged during the flooding of the valley.
The Hotel Terradets. Photograph: Cris Palomar
It was a challenge to drag ourselves away from the Terradets, not least because of its restaurant. Carnivores will be happy in Pallars Jussà, with the ubiquitous escudella pallaresa, a local meat stew, as well as Pyrenean river trout and cod cooked in local Montsec honey. Crema catalana, the regional version of crème brûlée, is the default (and delicious) dessert to be found everywhere. But a word of warning: if, like me, you find yourself seduced by the romantic-sounding postre de músic (musician’s dessert) – it’s a saucer of nuts and raisins. (This musician wished she’d ordered the crema catalana.)
The menus are not the only reminder that you are very much in Catalonia. You won’t find any tapas round here; you certainly won’t find a menu in Spanish, and attempts to speak español are tolerated only from foreign visitors. In the towns, the population is small but the resistance is strong; the Estelada, the separatist flag, hangs from balconies and windows, while its red and yellow stripes are painted on roads, bridges and walls, along with pro‑independence graffiti ranging from the galvanising Fem República! (Let’s build the Republic!) to the more direct Puta España (Google it).
A walker braves the path halfway up the cliffs of the Mont-Rebei Canyon. Photograph: Martin Silva Cosentino/Alamy
After some rest and recuperation at the Terradets and daily swims in (and occasionally across) its magnificent lake, we were ready to take to the road again, for Pallars Jussà’s pièce de résistance. The Balconet had been a mere warm-up for the big one: the king of Catalan gorges lies in the next valley west, where the Noguera Ribagorçana River carves its path through 500m vertical cliffs, narrowing to a channel just 20 metres wide. This mighty river is the border between Catalonia and the Aragon region, creating a truly impassable frontier by way of the Mont-Rebei Canyon. We drove as close as we could get, but Mont-Rebei is famous for being the only gorge in the region surrounded entirely by pristine wilderness. Access is via a dirt track, and the gorge itself is not crossed by any roads, railways or power lines. We decided the best way to view its sheer magnitude was from the water, and hired kayaks to paddle the round trip of three or four hours from nearby Corçà, awed as we slithered between its towering rock walls. High above us, halfway up the cliffs, walkers appeared like tiny ants, negotiating a metre-wide path cut into the rock face.
This vertigo-inducing path was created a century ago, using dynamite, hand chisels and picks, as a route to connect remote communities. These days, getting around this wild corner of Catalonia is a little easier but it still takes time. There are no motorways in Pallars Jussà and life moves slowly (the four-hour siesta has caught out many an unsuspecting visitor), but there’s a connectedness to the land and its natural rhythms, and a spirit of resourcefulness that permeates everyday life. For the gentle traveller, or indeed, nostalgic honeymooners, the rewards are rich.
Emmerdale star Will Ash has hinted Caleb Miligan’s betrayal with Sadie King could be revealed to Ruby at Christmas in dramatic scenes, amid Joe Tate’s revenge plan
Emmerdale star Will Ash has hinted Caleb Miligan’s betrayal could be revealed at Christmas amid Joe Tate’s revenge(Image: ITV)
Christmas could see a shocking betrayal exposed on Emmerdale.
Will Ash, who plays Caleb Miligan, has teased festive scenes could see a ticking time bomb explode. Caleb has cheated on his wife Ruby Miligan with Sadie King, who seduced him amid teaming up with Joe Tate.
Joe wants revenge on Caleb and Ruby, and has set out to ruin their loves after blaming them for his partner Dawn Taylor’s death this summer. Sadie and Caleb are so far keeping their fling a secret, despite Joe setting out to prove they have slept together.
Caleb actor Will has warned Joe won’t be leaving his uncle alone any time soon, and will continue with his plan. It’s been massively hinted this will continue into Christmas, and this could be when the secret eventually comes out.
Asked if it was going to be an exciting Christmas on the show, Will said: “It is definitely. You’ve got this secret that’s kind of [a ticking time bomb]. He’s working overtime between now and forever to kind of keep it under wraps.
“It’s inevitable that it’s going to get out, but because he’s naive and he’s working really hard, he thinks he’s going to be able to stop it.” On Joe’s continued antics not dying down any time soon, Will added: “So not yet, he’s circling.
“He’s always kind of in for Caleb, you know what I mean, and all the Tate stuff, all the stuff that happened with Dawn. He’s circling like a shark.” Will warned there might be no going back for Ruby and Caleb once she finds out the truth about Caleb sleeping with Sadie.
He explained: “I think it’s like the betrayal is so much greater now this time. Their relationship became so strong after everything that happened with Anthony, and with Steph and all that kind of stuff, they’ve overcome so much.
“He’s always been a bit of a philanderer. Ruby and certainly Caleb as well thought they’d put all that behind them. So for something like this for Ruby, on the surface how it looks, that he’s just slept with her, you know what I mean.
It depends how Ruby sees it I think, but I think she’d definitely kick him out. I don’t think there’s any coming back from that.” So it could all come out at Christmas, while Sadie’s exit from the show is meant to be airing around January or February time, as actress Patsy Kensit is filming until December.
FOLLOWING his dramatic eviction from the Big Brother house on Friday, Philip Regan was a no-show on spin-off The Group Chat.
The sister series, hosted by Kate Lawler and GK Barry, welcomes freshly-evicted housemates to dissect their time in the house.
Following his dramatic eviction from the Big Brother house on Friday, Philip Regan was a no-show on spin-off The Group ChatCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe sister series, hosted by Kate Lawler and GK Barry, welcomes freshly-evicted housemates to dissect their time in the houseCredit: ITV
But Philip was not featured on the latest instalment, having last been seen during the brutal double eviction on Friday, which descended into chaos as he furiously turned on the heckling crowd during his exit interview.
Fellow evictee Rhianna Collins appeared solo, as did house guest Tiffany Pollard; yet Philip was absent, with the hosts saying he “is needed at home with his family.”
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On Friday night, the Liverpudlian housemate was met with a barrage of boos after being booted out of the ITV2 house ahead of Rhianna.
When Philip sat down with hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best for his exit chat, things got spicier, with audience members continuing to shout and jeer throughout the interview.
Philip was last seen during the brutal double eviction on Friday, which descended into chaos as he furiously turned on the heckling crowd during his exit interviewCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHouse guest Tiffany Pollard featured on the spin-off, but Philip was absentCredit: ITVWhen Philip sat down with hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best for his exit chat, things got spicier, with audience members continuing to shout and jeer throughout the interviewCredit: itvThe evicted star was left fuming after discovering that fellow housemate Rochelle had nominated him, before hitting back at the audienceCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The evicted star was left fuming after discovering that fellow housemate Rochelle had nominated him, before hitting back at the audience, declaring: “It’s a game, we signed up for it and you know what, I bet every one of you wish you could have been in there. I lived it.”
As the crowd erupted into boos, Philip shouted “Hang on!” and attempted to quieten the hecklers.
The drama continued when he was questioned about his explosive bust-ups with Celebrity Big Brother legend Tiffany, snapping: “She came for me, she’s been paid to come for me.”
He added: “I’m proud, no matter what anyone thinks, it was hard work.”
Philip then turned his attention to fellow housemate Twinks, admitting he initially disliked her because he felt she expected everyone to approach her when she first entered the house.
Defending his attitude, he insisted “it’s our house”, prompting the audience to chant back: “It’s Big Brother’s house!”
Clearly irritated, Philip fired back “oh alright love, you’ve had your five minutes,” sparking yet more boos.
He then declared: “It is what it is, I can’t be arsed talking about it. It’s all about me.”
