SPACEX STARSHIP REACHES ORBIT FOR FIRST TIME, DEPLOYS 26 STARLINK SATELLITES

September 28, 2026

SpaceX’s Starship successfully reached orbit for the first time on September 28, marking a major milestone for the company’s next-generation launch system after 13 earlier test flights remained suborbital. The uncrewed vehicle lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas on its 14th flight.

The mission encountered an unexpected problem when one of Starship’s three main engines shut down prematurely after the vehicle reached space. Engineers initially indicated that the spacecraft might not proceed with its planned orbital manoeuvre, but subsequent assessments allowed the mission to continue. Starship later performed the required engine firing and successfully entered orbit.

Once in orbit, the spacecraft deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, providing the vehicle with its first operational payload. SpaceX says the newer satellites are designed to provide substantially greater data capacity than the previous generation.

The mission was originally planned to last around 10 hours and include six Earth orbits, but the engine problem shortened the flight considerably. The Super Heavy booster also conducted a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico after separating from the upper-stage spacecraft.

Starship is being developed for frequent satellite launches and future missions to the Moon, including planned NASA lunar missions. The successful orbital flight represents an important step in SpaceX’s effort to develop a large, reusable spacecraft capable of carrying both commercial and government payloads.