SpaceX Recovers Starship from Indian Ocean After Three-Week Tow by Normand Ranger

SpaceX's Starship Ship 40 is out of the Indian Ocean. The weeks-long tow, led by the Norwegian offshore ship Normand Ranger, ended with a successful recovery, according to NASASpaceFlight.

Ship 40 splashed down on July 24, 2026, after Starship Flight 13. The landing was soft. It floated rather than sinking, so SpaceX decided to retrieve it despite having no recovery plan in place. CNN captured satellite imagery in early August showing the Normand Ranger alongside the drifting ship.

Gizmodo reported that Ship 40 drifted for days before the tow convoy could secure it and build speed. The ship moved at 1 to 3 knots toward Dampier, Western Australia. Progress was slow.

NASASpaceFlight reported that with Ship 40 recovered, SpaceX has already shifted focus to Ship 41, being readied for testing ahead of Starship Flight 14.

For context on following specialist vessels at sea, read about identifying ship types, offshore satellite AIS tracking, and examining vessel route history.