Archive · 28 Sep 2026
SpaceX’s Starship Reaches Orbit in Historic First Test Flight
SpaceX launched its very large Starship rocket on Monday.
It was the first time Starship reached orbit around Earth.
One engine stopped working too early, but the other engines kept the mission going.
The spacecraft carried and released 26 Starlink internet satellites.
SpaceX planned for Starship to circle Earth six times over nearly 10 hours.
It was expected to come down in the Pacific Ocean near Chile.
The rocket’s booster was expected to fall into the Gulf of Mexico.
Starship is designed to be used again instead of discarded after one flight.
NASA is watching because Starship may help astronauts travel to the Moon.
SpaceX launched its 407-foot Starship from Starbase in southern Texas on Monday.
Starship reached orbit despite one engine shutting down earlier than planned, according to mission control.
The spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink satellites during its planned six-lap, nearly 10-hour mission.
The booster was scheduled to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, while Starship was expected to end its flight in the Pacific near Chile.
The test is important for NASA’s Artemis lunar program and SpaceX’s plans for reusable launches and satellite deployment.
- Who
- SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, launched Starship, while NASA monitored the test because of its possible role in Artemis missions.
- What
- Starship conducted its first full orbital test, reached orbit, and deployed 26 Starlink satellites.
- When
- Monday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The rocket launched from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in southern Texas; planned booster and spacecraft splashdowns were in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean near Chile.
- Why
- To test Starship’s orbital performance, advance its reusable launch system, deploy satellites, and support future lunar missions.
- Rocket height
- 407 feet (124 metres)
- Mission altitude
- About 170 miles (275 kilometres)
- Planned duration
- Nearly 10 hours
- Planned flight path
- Six laps around Earth
- Payload
- 26 Starlink satellites
- Test-flight count
- 14th full-scale Starship launch from Texas
- NASA connection
- Starship may support future Artemis lunar missions, including Artemis III and Artemis IV
