STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship became the first of its kind to reach Earth orbit on September 28, 2026, marking a significant advancement for the launch system. The spacecraft launched from Starbase in South Texas during its 14th full-scale Starship mission. Although one Raptor engine shut down during ascent, the vehicle persisted on its path toward orbit. Before completing the mission, Starship released 26 Starlink V3 satellites and the entire operation lasted approximately three hours.
This orbital flight extended beyond the suborbital profiles used in earlier Starship tests. The vehicle separated from the Super Heavy booster and continued its ascent into space. Mission control evaluated the engine issue prior to the spacecraft completing orbital insertion with its remaining propulsion systems. Notably, this was the first Starship mission to stay in Earth’s orbit and also the first to deploy operational satellites at their designated point.
Originally, SpaceX planned a longer flight lasting nearly 10 hours. The initial profile envisioned approximately six orbits around Earth before a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. However, the engine shutdown led to a shortened mission duration. Before leaving orbit, Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at around 270 kilometers altitude, marking the first operational payload release for the spacecraft.
Starship successfully delivers first operational payload into orbit
This satellite deployment marked a milestone in Starship’s inaugural orbital mission, emphasizing its role as a commercial launch platform. The V3 satellites are part of a newer generation of the Starlink broadband network, characterized by their larger design. All 26 units separated from the spacecraft during the orbital phase, demonstrating the vehicle’s capacity for deploying multiple satellites. The deployment occurred after Starship had already achieved its first sustained orbital insertion.
Following separation, the Super Heavy booster initiated its return sequence, descending toward the Gulf of Mexico and executing its planned landing burn over the water. During descent, several engines underperformed, resulting in a hard splashdown. Meanwhile, Starship re-entered Earth’s atmosphere along a revised trajectory, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of the original splashdown zone near Chile.
Mission ends with a Pacific splashdown after a shortened flight
In approximately three hours, Starship reached the Pacific Ocean, completing its descent and tipping onto its side upon splashdown. Flames were visible around the vehicle post-landing. SpaceX had no plans to recover the Starship or Super Heavy booster from the water after this test. The mission concluded with several key achievements, including orbital insertion, satellite deployment, and the successful execution of an orbital reentry sequence.
NASA plays a direct role in the development of Starship through the Artemis lunar program. The agency selected a modified version of Starship as a Human Landing System for upcoming Artemis lunar missions. This version will transport astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface. NASA requires an uncrewed lunar landing demonstration before crewed missions. Flight 14 involved the standard Starship configuration in Earth orbit and was not crewed.