Live updates: SpaceX launches unprecedented test flight of massive Starship, aiming for orbit

Live updates

1. 27d ago

   Starship Flight 14 deploys 26 Starlink V3 satellites in first orbital mission

   SpaceX achieved its first orbital flight with Starship on September 28, 2026. The 407-foot vehicle launched from Boca Chica, Texas, and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours later. This mission surpassed the duration of all previous suborbital tests and marks a shift toward operational satellite deployment for the massive spacecraft.

   Why it matters

   Starship is designed for deep space missions and heavy payload delivery. Transitioning from suborbital tests to successful orbital insertion is a requirement for future lunar and Martian goals.

   What is confirmed

   • Starship Flight 14 reached orbit on September 28, 2026.
   • The mission deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites.
   • The spacecraft launched from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
   • Starship splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff.

   What to watch next

   • The launch date for Starship Flight 15
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. spacexfantracker.com — SpaceX Launch Tracker • Mission Control
   2. keeptrack.space — Next Starship Launch 2026, Flight 15 Date and Flight Log ...
   3. newspacetracker.com — SpaceX Progress Tracker: 729 Launches, Starship Flight 13
   confidence 100%
2. 30d ago

   SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit on 14th test flight

   SpaceX's Starship successfully reached orbit on its 14th test flight, deploying next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. The 407-foot spacecraft launched from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff. This flight marked the first time Starship entered orbit and exceeded the duration of earlier suborbital tests.

   Why it matters

   This test flight is a significant milestone for SpaceX's Starship program, which aims to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of taking humans to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. The successful orbital mission demonstrates progress toward that goal. Starship also serves as the launch vehicle for the next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, which will provide global internet connectivity.

   What is confirmed

   • The Starship spacecraft is 407 feet long.
   • The 14th test flight successfully reached orbit.
   • The flight splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff.
   • The mission included the deployment of next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.

   What to watch next

   • The next Starship test flight and its objectives
   • The development and deployment of more Starlink V3 satellites
   • SpaceX's plans for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.youtube.com — NASASpaceflight - YouTube
   2. www.wionews.com — Starship’s 14th flight makes history, reaches orbit and ...
   confidence 90%
3. 33d ago

   SpaceX Launches 14th Starship Test Flight

   SpaceX launched its 14th Starship test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, targeting the vehicle's first orbital mission and the deployment of next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. During the flight on Monday, September 28, the 407-foot spacecraft successfully reached orbit and delivered the payloads before flight controllers terminated the mission early out of an abundance of caution. The vehicle ultimately splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff, far exceeding the duration of earlier suborbital tests.

   Why it matters

   Previous test flights of the massive spacecraft only skimmed space and lasted roughly one hour. The 14th mission marked a major milestone by achieving orbit for the first time, though it fell short of completing the planned six orbits. SpaceX continues to track hardware, tests, and launches from its Texas facility.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX launched the 14th Starship flight from Boca Chica, Texas, on Monday, September 28.
   • The 407-foot spacecraft reached orbit for the first time during the 14th flight.
   • The spacecraft delivered Starlink V3 satellites before flight controllers terminated the mission early out of an abundance of caution.
   • The vehicle splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The mission aimed to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites during its orbital attempt.

   What to watch next

   • Execution of future orbital tests to complete the planned six orbits
   • Official updates from SpaceX regarding the early termination cause during Flight 14
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. nextspaceflight.com — Starship - Next Spaceflight
   2. support.microsoft.com — Sign in to Microsoft 365
   3. support.microsoft.com — How to sign in to Hotmail | Microsoft Support
   4. support.microsoft.com — How to sign in to a Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
   5. support.microsoft.com — Account help | Microsoft Support
   6. support.microsoft.com — Get help with your Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
   7. support.microsoft.com — Microsoft account sign-in helper | Microsoft Support
   8. support.microsoft.com — I can't sign in to my Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
   9. support.microsoft.com — How can I recover my password for Microsoft accounts, including...
   10. www.youtube.com — SpaceX Starship Flight 14 Launch, Orbit & Splashdown (Full ...
   11. www.wionews.com — SpaceX launches 14th Starship flight, aims for first orbit ...
   confidence 90%
4. 39d ago

   SpaceX Starship achieves first orbital flight but ends mission early

   SpaceX successfully launched Starship on its 14th test flight from Boca Chica, Texas, on Monday, September 28, marking the vehicle's first time reaching orbit. The 407-foot spacecraft delivered Starlink V3 satellites before flight controllers terminated the mission early out of an abundance of caution. The craft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after liftoff. While the flight failed to complete the planned six orbits, it far exceeded the one-hour duration of previous tests that only skimmed space.

   Why it matters

   Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built. It must demonstrate reliable orbital flight to prove it can support NASA's Artemis moon program.

   What is confirmed

   • Starship reached orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight on Monday, September 28.
   • The uncrewed spacecraft stands 407 feet tall.
   • The rocket launched from the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
   • The mission delivered Starlink V3 satellites into space.
   • Flight controllers ended the mission early out of an abundance of caution.
   • The spacecraft descended into the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii three hours after launch.

   What to watch next

   • NASA's evaluation of the flight for Artemis program readiness
   • SpaceX's analysis of the engine trouble that led to the shortened mission
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.basenor.com — SpaceX Starship Tracker: Flight Log & Next Launch (2026)
   2. mynews13.com — SpaceX to do first orbital flight test for Starship
   3. www.whec.com — SpaceX's supersized Starship launches into orbit for the first time but flight ends early - WHEC.com
   4. www.starship-tracker.space — Starship Watch — Launch Tracker
   5. www.todaynews.blog — SpaceX Starship splashes down after reaching orbit in ...
   confidence 100%
5. 41d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit on 14th Test Flight

   SpaceX successfully launched the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket from Texas, achieving orbit for the first time in the vehicle's history. The world's largest and most powerful spacecraft lifted off Monday morning on what served as a make-or-break orbital test. Mission controllers previously cut the flight short after facing initial engine trouble during the launch sequence to maintain safety, while the mission originally intended to complete six Earth orbits and deploy 26 Starlink satellites. The successful orbital insertion also delivered the first Starlink V3 satellites into space.

   Why it matters

   The achievement marks a critical milestone for SpaceX and brings relief to future NASA moon missions that rely heavily on the heavy-lift vehicle. Residents along the southernmost coastline of Texas have grown familiar with the massive rocket tests conducted since 23. Meanwhile, astronomers have raised broader concerns regarding orbital congestion and the rising volume of satellites.

   What is confirmed

   • The 14th test flight of SpaceX's Starship successfully achieved orbit Monday morning.
   • Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket and spacecraft.
   • The successful orbital flight serves as a relief for future NASA moon missions.

   Still unconfirmed

   • SpaceX planned for the vehicle to orbit Earth six times and deploy 26 Starlink satellites before a Pacific Ocean splashdown.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the Pacific Ocean splashdown outcome
   • Data regarding the performance of the Starlink V3 satellites deployed during the flight
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. mynews13.com — SpaceX launches last O3b mPOWER satellites
   2. account.microsoft.com — Microsoft account | Sign In or Create Your Account Today ...
   3. www.scientificamerican.com — SpaceX’s Starship lifts off in make-or-break orbital test flight
   4. www.space.com — Millions of satellites orbiting Earth? Astronomers hope the UN can slow the coming data center doom | Spa....
   5. abcnews.com — SpaceX Starship splashes down after successful 1st orbital ...
   6. tech.yahoo.com — SpaceX Starship Flight 14 live updates: Starship is in orbit!
   7. www.wpsdlocal6.com — SpaceX’s massive Starship is finally going to orbit — and the effects could be seismic | News | WPSD ....
   confidence 95%
6. 45d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit for First Time

   SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, successfully reaching orbit for the first time. The flight delivered the first Starlink V3 satellites to space. Mission controllers cut the flight short to ensure safety despite dealing with initial engine trouble during the launch sequence. The vehicle originally aimed to orbit Earth six times and deploy 26 Starlink satellites before concluding with a Pacific Ocean splashdown.

   Why it matters

   Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs and manufactures advanced rockets with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on other planets. This flight represents a major development phase for the supersized Starship system, which is recognized as the most powerful rocket ever made. Successfully achieving orbit marks a significant milestone for the heavy-lift vehicle.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase, Texas, reaching orbit for the first time.
   • The spacecraft successfully delivered the first Starlink V3 satellites to orbit.
   • The mission overcame initial engine trouble after launch.
   • Controllers cut the flight short to ensure safety.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The mission originally aimed to orbit Earth six times and deploy 26 Starlink satellites prior to a Pacific Ocean splashdown.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the Pacific Ocean splashdown
   • Post-flight data analysis regarding the initial engine failure
   • Future deployment schedules for Starlink V3 satellites
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Spaceflight Now — Live coverage: SpaceX to launch first Starlink V3 satellites to orbit on Starship
   2. CNBC — SpaceX prepares to send Starship rocket to orbit for first time
   3. cnn.com — Live updates: SpaceX launches unprecedented test flight of massive Starship, aiming for orbit
   4. WSJ — SpaceX Launches Starship for First Orbital Test
   5. Financial Times — SpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit for the first time
   6. www.cnn.com — Unprecedented test flight of massive SpaceX Starship reaches orbit
   7. www.spacex.com — SpaceX - Starship Flight 14
   8. www.theguardian.com — ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket ...
   9. www.cnbc.com — SpaceX launches its massive Starship rocket into orbit for ...
   10. www.newsbreak.com — SpaceX launches its massive Starship rocket into orbit for the first time - NewsBreak
   11. edition.cnn.com — Live updates: SpaceX Starship set for first orbital test flight | CNN
   12. www.live5news.com — SpaceX Launches Starship on First-Ever Orbital Test Flight
   confidence 95%