STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship made its inaugural trip into Earth orbit on September 28, 2026, representing a significant milestone for the aerospace manufacturer. The spacecraft lifted off from Starbase in South Texas during the 14th full-scale Starship mission. Although one Raptor engine shut down during ascent, the vehicle persisted in its journey toward orbit. Prior to completing its mission, Starship deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites and concluded a mission duration of approximately three hours.
This orbital flight surpassed the suborbital test profiles used in previous Starship experiments. The vehicle separated from the Super Heavy booster and continued its ascent into space. After evaluating an engine issue, flight controllers authorized the spacecraft to achieve orbit using its remaining propulsion systems. This mission marked the first time a Starship successfully maintained orbit around Earth and also the first to deliver operational satellites to their deployment point.
Initially, SpaceX planned a longer flight lasting nearly 10 hours, which would have included approximately six orbits around Earth before a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. The shutdown of an engine led to a scaled-back mission timeline. Prior to departing orbit, Starship released all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at roughly 270 kilometers altitude, marking the spacecraft’s first operational payload deployment.
Starship Successfully Executes Its First Orbital Payload Deployment
Adding a commercial payload milestone to Starship’s initial orbital mission, the deployment involved newer-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Their larger size positions Starship as a key launch platform for deploying significant numbers of these satellites. All 26 units separated from the spacecraft during orbit, following a successful release after Starship had already achieved its first sustained orbital insertion.
Following separation from Starship, Super Heavy initiated its return sequence. The booster descended toward the Gulf of Mexico, with its planned water landing burn initiated above the ocean. During descent, several engines did not operate as expected, resulting in a hard splashdown. Meanwhile, Starship re-entered the atmosphere on a revised trajectory, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of the original splashdown zone near Chile.
Brief Flight Ends with Pacific Ocean Splashdown
Starship touched down in the Pacific after approximately three hours of flight, then tilted onto its side upon entering the water. Flames became visible around the vehicle following splashdown. SpaceX did not plan to recover either Starship or Super Heavy from the water after this test. The mission concluded with several historic achievements, including orbital insertion, operational satellite deployment, and completion of an orbital reentry sequence.
NASA also plays a direct role in Starship’s development, particularly through its 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 configuration will transport astronauts between lunar orbit and the lunar surface. An uncrewed lunar landing demonstration is required before crewed missions can proceed. Flight 14, however, remained an uncrewed Earth-orbit mission using the standard Starship configuration and did not carry any crew members.