SpaceX launches Starship rocket as it aims to orbit around Earth for first time
SpaceX said the mission marked Starship’s first orbital flight and delivered 26 Starlink V3 satellites before flight controllers ended it early for safety.
- On Monday, September 28, 2026, SpaceX's Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time during its 14th full-scale test flight from Starbase, Texas, surviving an early engine shutdown during ascent.
- Previous Starship tests were limited to suborbital trajectories over three years, part of a development campaign costing SpaceX more than $15 billion, setting high stakes for this orbital attempt.
- After flight controllers reversed a 'no-go' decision following a Raptor engine failure, Starship proceeded to orbit and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites into the company's broadband constellation.
- Mission control announced 'Starship is orbital' during the live stream; flight controllers then cut the planned 10-hour mission to three hours, redirecting the vehicle for a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
- This orbital success positions SpaceX to support NASA's Artemis lunar missions, with Elon Musk eyeing future catch attempts using mechanical arms to enable rapid Starship reflying by year's end.
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SpaceX Starship engine fails; may impact NASA moon mission
The Starship engine failure that nearly foiled the orbital debut of SpaceX's next-generation spacecraft on its 14th uncrewed test flight may complicate NASA's ability to meet its time frame for astronaut missions to the moon.
SpaceX Starship Engine Disaster Could Derail NASA's Dream of Landing Astronauts on Moon
SpaceX's Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites during Flight 14, but a Raptor engine failure could create new testing and scheduling challenges for NASA's Artemis programme.
SpaceX Starship engine failure could delay NASA moon landing timeline | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
LOS ANGELES >> The Starship engine failure that nearly foiled the orbital debut of SpaceX’s next-generation spacecraft on its 14th uncrewed test flight may complicate NASA’s ability to meet its time frame for astronaut missions to the moon.
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