STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship entered Earth orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026, marking a significant achievement for the launch vehicle. The spacecraft launched from Starbase in South Texas during its 14th full-scale Starship mission. Despite one Raptor engine shutting down during ascent, the vehicle continued its journey toward orbit. Subsequently, Starship released 26 Starlink V3 satellites before ending a shorter mission that lasted approximately three hours.
This orbital flight surpassed the suborbital profiles used in earlier Starship tests, as Starship separated from the Super Heavy booster and carried on its ascent into space. Flight controllers evaluated the engine issue before the spacecraft achieved orbital insertion with its remaining propulsion system. The mission was the first Starship flight to stay in Earth’s orbit and the first to deliver operational satellites to their deployment zone.
Initially, SpaceX had planned a much longer flight, close to 10 hours in duration. The original mission profile included approximately six laps around Earth before a controlled return to the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. Due to the engine shutdown, the company scaled back the mission length. Prior to leaving orbit, Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at an altitude of about 270 kilometers, marking the spacecraft’s first operational payload deployment.
Starship successfully deploys first operational payload in orbit
This satellite deployment milestone added a commercial payload achievement to Starship’s inaugural orbital mission. The V3 satellites represent a newer generation of the Starlink broadband constellation. Their larger size positions Starship as a crucial launch platform for transporting significant quantities of these satellites. All 26 satellites separated from the spacecraft during the orbital phase, with the successful deployment occurring after Starship had already completed its initial sustained orbital insertion.
Following separation from Starship, Super Heavy initiated its own return sequence, descending toward the Gulf of Mexico and beginning its planned water landing burn. Several engines did not perform as expected during descent, resulting in a hard splashdown. Later, Starship reentered Earth’s atmosphere on a modified trajectory, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of the originally planned splashdown zone near Chile.
Brief flight duration ends with a Pacific splashdown
After approximately three hours of flight, Starship reached the Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft completed descent, landed in the water, and tipped onto its side, with flames visible around the vehicle after splashdown. Recovery of Starship or Super Heavy was not part of the plan following this test. The mission concluded successfully with several milestones, including orbital insertion, deployment of operational satellites, and an orbital reentry sequence.
NASA also plays a direct role in the development of Starship via the Artemis lunar program. The agency selected a modified version of Starship as a Human Landing System for upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon, which will transport astronauts between lunar orbit and the lunar surface. An uncrewed lunar landing demonstration is required before astronauts will use this system. Flight 14 was solely an Earth-orbit mission utilizing the standard Starship configuration and carried no crew.