SN15 did land successfully, which is the only stage strictly required to land for HLS requirements. They could (and likely will) launch the booster in expendable mode until they perfect soft-water landings and build a second launch tower for booster catch attempts.
They’ll want to work out booster reuse ASAP, but there’s nothing preventing them from launching methalox tankers concurrently.
That being said, 2026 still feels a wee bit ambitious.
I’m hoping we see a ramp up in Starship launches this year. Maybe ~5 in 2024, a dozen or two in 2025?
SN15 did land successfully, which is the only stage strictly required to land for HLS requirements. They could (and likely will) launch the booster in expendable mode until they perfect soft-water landings and build a second launch tower for booster catch attempts.
They’ll want to work out booster reuse ASAP, but there’s nothing preventing them from launching methalox tankers concurrently.
That being said, 2026 still feels a wee bit ambitious.
I’m hoping we see a ramp up in Starship launches this year. Maybe ~5 in 2024, a dozen or two in 2025?