---
title: "Starship returns to launch site for the first time after spaceflight — journey took nearly three months"
description: "Starship Ship 40 has returned to SpaceX's Texas base for the first time after a spaceflight and maritime transit, paving the way for upper stage reusability."
date: 2026-10-15T12:48:42.585Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/starship-ship-40-returned-to-starbase
tags: [spacex, starship, elon-musk, space-exploration, aerospace]
author: "Alexander Buran, Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Starship returns to launch site for the first time after spaceflight — journey took nearly three months

![Starship Ship 40 upper stage installed inside the Megabay assembly building at Starbase](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/15/starship-ship-40-returned-to-starbase/starship-ship-40-returned-to-starbase-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Ship 40 is the first Starship upper stage to return to its launch site.
- The vehicle underwent a 24-day ocean tow following its July splashdown.
- SpaceX engineers are examining the flown vehicle's heat shield and Raptor engines.

Nearly three months after a successful spaceflight and harsh trials in the open sea, the first Starship vehicle to survive an ocean splashdown has returned to Starbase. SpaceX officially released detailed photos and video footage capturing the return of the Ship 40 upper stage to its production complex in South Texas. This milestone marks a critical turning point in the development of fully reusable transportation systems.

### A Journey Through Oceans and Storms

Ship 40 made history as the first Starship upper stage to return to its departure point following a full-scale space journey. The spacecraft launched on July 24 during the 13th test flight paired with the Super Heavy Booster 20, performing a suborbital flight that ended with a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Unlike previous prototypes that disintegrated upon water impact, Ship 40 remained nearly intact and maintained excellent buoyancy.

### A Unique Logistical Operation

The high structural integrity prompted SpaceX engineers to execute an ambitious operation to transport the 52-meter structure. The vessel underwent a grueling 24-day tow through storm-tossed seas, reaching the waters near Australia's Christmas Island in August. Following initial inspections and thermal protection sampling, Ship 40 was loaded onto the semi-submersible transport vessel Forte, which arrived at the Port of Brownsville on October 7. The final leg involved overland transport to Starbase and vertical placement inside the Megabay.

### Data Analysis and Future Prospects

Currently, Ship 40 is positioned vertically inside the Megabay alongside three successor vehicles awaiting their maiden flights. The data gathered from examining the heat shield, Raptor engines, and avionics of a flown vehicle will provide invaluable insights. The experience gained from this operational milestone will guide future designs and efforts to catch Starship upper stages directly using the launch tower mechanical arms.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Starship после полёта в космос впервые вернулся на место старта — путь занял почти три месяца window-new](https://3dnews.ru/1149924/starship-posle-polyota-v-kosmos-vpervie-vernulsya-na-mesto-starta-put-zanyal-pochti-tri-mesyatsa) - Основной источник информации о возвращении Ship 40.
- [SpaceX впервые в истории вернула Starship на базу после орбитального полёта](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/10/13/spacex-vpervye-v-istorii-vernula-starship-na-bazu-posle-orbitalnogo-poleta.html) - Детали транспортировки и логистической операции.
- [Starship Ship 40 вернулся на площадку: SpaceX проверит двигатели и теплозащиту](https://itzine.ru/news/space/starship-ship-40-vernulsja-ploshhadku-spacex-proverit-dvigateli.html) - Информация об осмотре двигателей и теплозащиты.
- [SpaceX планирует впервые поймать корабль Starship башней в Flight 15](https://itzine.ru/news/space/spacex-planiruet-vpervye-poimat-korabl-starship-bashnei.html) - Информация об осмотре двигателей и теплозащиты.

## FAQ

### Which vehicle returned to Starbase for the first time?

The Starship upper stage designated as Ship 40.

### Where did the spacecraft splash down in July?

In the Indian Ocean during the 13th test flight.