STARBASE, TEXAS / RankWire.AI / – SpaceX’s Starship successfully entered Earth orbit for the first time on September 28, 2026, marking a historic milestone for its launch system. The spacecraft took off from Starbase in South Texas during its 14th full-scale Starship mission. During ascent, one Raptor engine shut down, yet the vehicle proceeded toward orbit. Subsequently, Starship released 26 Starlink V3 satellites before concluding a shortened flight that lasted approximately three hours.
This orbital adventure surpassed the suborbital profiles seen in earlier Starship tests. Following separation from the Super Heavy booster, Starship continued its ascent into space. Mission control evaluated the engine issue before the craft achieved orbital insertion using its remaining propulsion. This flight marked the first time a Starship stayed in Earth orbit and carried operational satellites to their deployment point.
Initially, SpaceX aimed for a much longer mission lasting nearly 10 hours. The original plan involved about six laps around Earth before a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. However, the engine shutdown led to a shorter mission duration. Prior to leaving orbit, Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at an altitude of roughly 270 kilometers, marking the spacecraft’s first operational payload release.
Starship achieves operational satellite deployment in orbit
This satellite deployment represented a key commercial milestone for Starship’s initial orbital journey. The V3 satellites are part of a newer generation of the Starlink broadband constellation. Their larger size positions Starship as an essential launch platform capable of carrying significant quantities of these satellites. All 26 separated from the spacecraft during the orbital phase. The successful deployment followed Starship’s initial achievement of sustained orbital insertion.
Meanwhile, Super Heavy completed its return sequence after detaching from Starship. The booster headed toward the Gulf of Mexico and initiated its planned landing burn over the water. During descent, several engines malfunctioned, resulting in a hard splashdown. Later, Starship re-entered the atmosphere on a revised path, heading toward the Pacific north of Hawaii instead of the originally planned splashdown zone near Chile.
Brief flight concludes with Pacific water landing
After roughly three hours aloft, Starship reached the Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft descended and settled onto the water before tipping onto its side. Flames appeared around the vehicle following splashdown. SpaceX had no plans to recover either Starship or Super Heavy from the water after this test. The mission ended with several firsts, including orbital insertion, operational satellite deployment, and completing an orbital reentry sequence.
NASA also plays a direct role in Starship’s development, particularly through the 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 ferry astronauts between lunar orbit and the surface. NASA mandates an uncrewed lunar landing demonstration before human crews utilize the system. Flight 14, however, involved the standard Starship configuration, remained in Earth orbit, and carried no crew.