STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship successfully reached Earth orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026, marking a significant achievement for the launch vehicle. Launching from Starbase in South Texas, the spacecraft completed its 14th full-scale Starship mission. During ascent, one Raptor engine shut down, but the craft persisted toward orbit. Prior to mission completion, Starship released 26 Starlink V3 satellites in a mission that lasted approximately three hours.
This orbital venture extended beyond the suborbital tests previously conducted with Starship. The vehicle separated from the Super Heavy booster and continued its ascent into space. After engineers evaluated the engine issue, the spacecraft achieved orbital insertion using its remaining propulsion systems. This marked the first Starship mission to stay in Earth orbit and to deploy operational satellites at their designated orbit.
Originally, SpaceX planned a longer, nearly 10-hour mission. The initial plan included about six orbits around Earth before a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. Due to the engine shutdown, the flight duration was cut short. Before leaving orbit, Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at approximately 270 kilometers altitude, marking its first operational payload deployment.
Starship’s first operational satellite deployment in orbit
This satellite deployment represented a key commercial milestone for Starship’s initial orbital flight. The V3 satellites are part of a newer generation of the Starlink broadband constellation. Their larger size emphasizes Starship’s role as a crucial launch platform for deploying significant numbers of these advanced satellites. All 26 separated from the spacecraft during orbit, completing Starship’s first sustained orbital insertion successfully.
Following separation, the Super Heavy booster initiated its return sequence. It descended toward the Gulf of Mexico, beginning its planned landing burn over water. During descent, several engines did not perform as expected, resulting in a hard splashdown. Meanwhile, Starship re-entered the atmosphere along a revised trajectory, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of the originally planned splashdown zone near Chile.
Shortened mission concludes with Pacific Ocean recovery
After approximately three hours in flight, Starship touched down in the Pacific Ocean, tipping onto its side upon splashdown. Flames appeared around the vehicle post-landing. SpaceX did not intend to recover either Starship or Super Heavy from the water after this test. The mission’s accomplishments include orbital insertion, operational satellite deployment, and a successful orbital reentry sequence, marking several firsts for the spacecraft.
NASA also plays a direct role in Starship’s development via the Artemis lunar program. The agency selected a modified version of Starship to serve as a Human Landing System for upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. This version will transport astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface. NASA mandates an uncrewed lunar landing demonstration before crewed missions proceed. Flight 14, however, was solely an Earth-orbit mission with the standard Starship configuration and carried no crew.
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