SpaceX is preparing for a major step in reusable launch systems.
Elon Musk confirmed that the company will attempt to catch Starship’s upper stage during its next flight. The catch would use the launch tower, not an ocean landing.
If successful, the mission would make history. Musk said it would be “the first time that an orbital launch vehicle has been fully recovered.”
The attempt supports a larger commercial strategy. SpaceX wants Starship to launch huge satellite volumes quickly. These include broadband, direct-to-device, and AI data center satellites.
Musk also showed confidence in the next test. He said it is “more likely than not that this [attempted tower catch] succeeds next flight.”
However, this ambition brings heavy execution pressure. Catching the booster already requires extreme precision. Catching the upper stage adds another difficult recovery phase.
For operators, the reward could be significant. A reusable Starship could lower launch costs. It could also increase satellite replacement speed.
That matters for Starlink, which needs more capacity. SpaceX recently deployed high-capacity V3 Starlink satellites. Earlier tests sent trial satellites into the atmosphere after evaluation.
Gwynne Shotwell said customers need a larger V3 fleet. She said SpaceX must deploy a “few hundred” V3 satellites. Only then will users “really feel the impact” in speeds.
SpaceX also plans faster launch schedules. Musk expects weekly Starship flights in early 2027. He then expects twice-weekly flights by late 2027.
The company wants operations to feel routine. Musk said the aim is to “land the rocket and launch it just like an airplane.”
Meanwhile, Starlink’s growth showed mixed signals. The service added 1.6 million consumer customers in the quarter. Total consumer subscribers reached 13.6 million.
Yet analysts expected 14.3 million. That shortfall suggests satellite broadband still faces adoption limits.
Revenue per consumer also weakened. Starlink’s average revenue per unit fell to $69. It stood at $83 in the same quarter last year.
Still, Starlink’s footprint remains large. The service now covers 174 countries. SpaceX reported 11,100 satellites in orbit.
Enterprise and aviation demand also keeps expanding. Shotwell said Starlink serves “hundreds of thousands” of these customers. SpaceX also ended the quarter with 3,800 equipped aircraft.
The mobile strategy may prove more complex. SpaceX expects its 800MHz spectrum deal with Grain Management to close in 2027. The company wants a hybrid satellite and terrestrial mobile network.
Critics question whether SpaceX has enough spectrum and infrastructure. They also question its path without an MVNO deal. Potential partners include AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Musk remains highly optimistic about connectivity revenue. “We do see a clear path to several hundred billion dollars a year in connectivity revenue,” he said.
