SpaceX Starfall

Starfall
ManufacturerSpaceX
Country of originUS
OperatorSpaceX
ApplicationsCargo delivery from space
Specifications
Spacecraft typeSpace capsule
Production
Launched2
Maiden launch23 June 2026
Related spacecraft
Launch vehicleFalcon 9, Starship (planned)

Starfall is a space capsule designed to return payloads to Earth from orbit/near orbit, developed by SpaceX. The vehicle intends to provide uncrewed, point-to-point cargo delivery of earth and space-manufactured products by providing atmospheric reentry and recovery. Starfall builds on SpaceX experience with Dragon capsules and Starship reentry technologies.

Design

SpaceX Starfall has a circular, disk-shaped form measuring 3.1 m (10 ft) in diameter and .75 m (2 ft 6 in) in height. Its empty mass is 2,100 kg (4,600 lb). Starfall carries up to 1,000 kilograms of payload in a volume of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) by 1.5 by 0.5 meters and a total mass of about 3,100 kilograms. The vehicle consists of a top plate with maneuvering thrusters and a heat shield that jettisons before a parachute assisted splashdown. It can be carried to orbit by either Starship or Falcon 9.

Technical specifications
Diameter 3.1 m
Height 0.75 m
Empty mass 2,100 kg
Payload mass up to 1,000 kg
Payload volume 2.5 × 1.5 × 0.5 m
Total mass ~3,100 kg
Launch vehicles Falcon 9 or Starship

Operations

Starfall can loiter in space indefinitely. Reentry[clarification needed] follows a pre-planned path. Initial tests splash down typically 1,300 km (810 mi) kilometers west of the US or Mexico. Recovery teams retrieve the capsule, heat shield, and parachutes. Operations could expand to support point-to-point delivery for Earth-produced goods. Starship can carry multiple Starfall units to orbit in one launch.

Applications

Starfall targets two main applications:

In-space production may benefit pharmaceutical and advanced material production such as single crystal optical fiber, and even bio-printed human organs, because some materials cannot be produced in the presence of gravity. Military applications include fast global resupply. Starfall offers smaller capacity than Starship cargo variants, but also requires no landing infrastructure. SpaceX Rocket Cargo contracts with the U.S. Air Force target larger point-to-point deliveries. Targets reach up to 100 tons.

Relation to Starship

Starship is intended to provide heavy-lift capability to orbit. Starfall is designed to handle precise return of smaller payloads. Starship features a large payload bay for deployment of satellites and cargo. Its heat shield is being designed for eventual rapid reuse, including catch by launch tower arms. Starship payload capacity may exceed 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit in reusable configuration. Starfall complements Starship capabilities by addressing return logistics for orbital assets.

History

June 2026's maiden launch of Starfall Demo.

SpaceX revealed Starfall plans through FAA filings in 2026. The agency issued final environmental approval on 15 May 2026, for two test missions. These tests were designed to assess reentry, splashdown, and recovery operations to clear the way for safety licensing reviews. SpaceX launched the first Starfall demonstration mission on a Falcon 9 rocket on 23 June 2026.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wall, Mike (23 June 2026). "What is Starfall? A look at SpaceX's mysterious new return capsule". Space.com. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Foust, Jeff (31 May 2026). "FAA documents outline SpaceX plans for Starfall reentry vehicles". Space News. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Live coverage: SpaceX to launch reentry capsule demo mission called 'Starfall' – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Young, Chris (1 June 2026). "SpaceX to test Starfall vehicle for space manufacturing, cargo return". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Marín, Daniel (2 June 2026). "El proyecto Starfall de SpaceX y las cápsulas comerciales de Varda". Eureka (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 Prophet, Chris (5 September 2025). "SpaceX Project Starfall". Chris’s Substack. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Easley, Mikayla (21 November 2024). "Space Force eyes SpaceX's Starship for future rocket cargo delivery missions". DefenseScoop. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Clark, Stephen (23 June 2026). "With Starfall, SpaceX eyes an edge in global cargo delivery from orbit". Ars Technica. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  9. ↑ Berger, Eric (4 June 2021). "Yes, the military is serious about rocketing supplies around the planet". Ars Technica. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  10. ↑ Warren, Haygen (22 June 2026). "SpaceX to test upcoming Starfall reentry vehicle with demonstration mission on Tuesday". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  11. ↑ Luciani, Massimo (23 June 2026). "A success for the launch of SpaceX's Starfall Demo semisecret mission". Retrieved 23 June 2026.