SpaceX makes its 125th launch, Starship is next

SpaceX has completed its 125th launch since the beginning of 2026. Most of the launches are on the back of a single rocket. However, the company's trial this week has a much bigger claim than the Falcon 9's numbers.

Falcon 9 sets the pace

Falcon 9 provides the company's launch tempo. This two-stage rocket carries Starlink satellites, commercial payloads and crewed capsules into orbit. Therefore, most of the 125 launches belong to this rocket.

The first stage returns to Earth after separation. It usually lands on a platform at sea or an area on land. Moreover, reusing boosters significantly increased the frequency of launches. In addition, it also reduced the cost per load.

Starship is in a different class

Starship is a completely different vehicle. It consists of a booster called Super Heavy and a spacecraft called Ship. The system is super heavy duty and completely reusable. Because it is being developed to carry much larger loads compared to Falcon 9. Moon and Mars journeys and exploration of distant space are also among their goals.

Both stages are designed to be returned and reused. To capture them, there is a special tower equipped with mechanical arms called Mechazilla. On the other hand, while Falcon 9 lands on the platform or land area, the intended method for Starship is to catch it with the arms of the tower.

This week's Ship trial

SpaceX will undergo one of the most important tests of the Starship program this week. An attempt will be made to catch the returning Ship vehicle in the air with the arms of the launch tower. That's why the main topic of the week is this trial rather than Falcon 9.

If the trial is successful, the idea of ​​full reusability will have passed an important threshold. Thus, both stages will be able to return directly to the launch area. Additionally, preparations for re-flight will accelerate. The need for separate landing platforms will also disappear.

The capture attempt will be made this week. Its outcome will determine whether Starship will be the first time a Ship stage has been delivered to the tower arms in its full reuse target.