STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship achieved its inaugural Earth orbit on September 28, 2026, marking a significant breakthrough for the launch vehicle. The vehicle launched from Starbase in South Texas during its 14th full-scale flight. Although one Raptor engine shut down during ascent, the spacecraft managed to continue its trajectory toward orbit. Before mission completion, Starship released 26 Starlink V3 satellites, concluding a shortened mission that lasted approximately three hours.
This orbital mission exceeded the suborbital profiles seen during previous Starship tests. The vehicle separated from the Super Heavy booster and proceeded on its path into space. Flight controllers identified an engine issue, but the spacecraft still achieved orbital insertion using its remaining propulsion system. Notably, this was the first Starship flight to remain in Earth’s orbit and to deploy operational satellites at their designated deployment point.
Originally, SpaceX had planned a longer flight that would last nearly 10 hours. The initial plan included roughly six orbits around Earth before a controlled descent back into the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. However, the engine shutdown led to a reduction in mission duration. Prior to leaving orbit, Starship successfully deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at an altitude of approximately 270 kilometers, marking the vehicle’s first operational payload deployment.
Starship successfully delivers first operational payload into orbit
This satellite deployment represented a key commercial milestone for Starship’s first orbital operation. The V3 satellites are part of a newer generation of the Starlink broadband constellation. Their larger size makes Starship an increasingly vital launch platform for deploying sizable satellite clusters. All 26 satellites were released during the orbital phase, signifying a successful operation after Starship had already completed its initial sustained orbital insertion.
Following separation from Starship, Super Heavy executed its own return sequence. The booster headed toward the Gulf of Mexico, initiating its planned landing burn over the water. During descent, several engines did not perform as expected, resulting in a hard splashdown. Meanwhile, Starship re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on a revised trajectory, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of its initially planned splashdown zone near Chile.
Brief mission ends with splashdown in the Pacific
Starship touched down in the Pacific after approximately three hours of flight, settling onto its side in the ocean. Flames became visible around the vehicle after splashdown. SpaceX did not intend to recover either Starship or Super Heavy from the water after this test. The mission concluded with several historic achievements, including orbital insertion, satellite deployment, and completing an orbital reentry sequence.
NASA also plays a direct role in the development of Starship through its Artemis lunar program. The agency selected a modified version of Starship as a Human Landing System for upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. This version will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface. An uncrewed lunar landing demonstration is required before astronauts can use the system, but Flight 14 involved only the standard Starship configuration in Earth orbit and carried no crew.