SpaceX launches its 'Starfall' return capsule for 2nd time ever - Space
SpaceX successfully launched its mysterious 'Starfall' return capsule for the second time on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The disk-shaped vehicle is designed to provide affordable, routine access to microgravity for research and in-space manufacturing.
Why it matters
Reusable small return capsules could drastically lower the cost and increase the frequency of scientific experiments and commercial manufacturing conducted in microgravity environments.
Launches & Spacecraft SpaceX launches its 'Starfall' return capsule for 2nd time ever (video) News By Mike Wall Published 20 October 2026 Starfall went up today (Oct. 20) on SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
Click for next article Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 1 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter SpaceX just launched its mysterious "Starfall" return capsule for the second time ever.
Starfall was one of 32 payloads on the company's Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission, which launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 7:04 a.m. EDT (1104 GMT) today (Oct. 20) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in