SpaceX's successful Flight 13 in late July 2026, where Ship 40 completed a precise reentry, landing burn, and intact Indian Ocean splashdown—the first such survival—has driven optimism for an upper-stage tower catch. Elon Musk initially targeted Flight 14 for the attempt but revised the timeline in August to "a few months," citing the landing's catch-ready accuracy while noting regulatory approvals and further data review as gating factors. The program has already achieved multiple Super Heavy booster catches with the Mechazilla arms, validating guidance for suborbital returns, but the orbital-class ship trajectory adds complexity around heat shield performance, terminal control, and FAA licensing. Flight 14, now eyed for September with Starlink V3 deployment, remains the next major catalyst alongside ongoing chopstick testing and Ship 40 recovery.