SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket has reached orbit for the first time, marking a major milestone in the company’s development of the spacecraft during its 14th test flight.
The uncrewed 40-storey vehicle lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase complex in Texas on September 28, carrying 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. The mission marked Starship’s first operational satellite deployment and its first revenue-generating flight.
The flight was initially planned to last about 10 hours and complete six orbits of Earth. However, one of Starship’s three main engines shut down prematurely, prompting SpaceX to shorten the mission. Engineers subsequently determined that the spacecraft could still reach orbit, allowing the company to continue with the deployment.
All 26 Starlink V3 satellites were successfully released into orbit. The satellites are designed to carry significantly more data than earlier Starlink versions, supporting SpaceX’s plans to expand its broadband network.
Starship’s achievement is significant for SpaceX’s plans to make the vehicle a regularly operating launch system. The spacecraft is also intended for future NASA lunar missions and more frequent deployment of Starlink satellites.
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