SpaceX's Starship rocket orbiting Earth for first time after Texas lift-off

Live updates

1. 25d ago

   SpaceX seeks FAA approval to increase Starship launches to 456 per year

   SpaceX has requested that the FAA increase the number of permitted Starship launches from its South Texas Starbase site from 25 to 456 per year. This proposal comes as the company continues testing its 407-foot reusable rocket, which recently achieved low Earth orbit during its 14th test flight. The company also targeted a subsequent test flight for September 28 with a launch window between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. ET, following a successful recovery of a rocket off the coast of Christmas Island after a July 24 flight.

   Why it matters

   The Starship system aims to transport 100 passengers to the Moon and Mars and enable global travel in under one hour. Increasing launch frequency is necessary for SpaceX to meet these long-term goals and scale its satellite deployment. The FAA is currently reviewing the request to expand operations at the Texas site.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX proposed increasing the number of allowed Starship launches from its Starbase site in South Texas from 25 per year to 456.
   • The FAA is currently reviewing the request to increase launch frequency.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A Starship rocket was successfully recovered off the coast of Christmas Island following a July 24 flight test.

   What to watch next

   • FAA decision on the request for 456 annual launches
   • Results of the September 28 test flight
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. nextspaceflight.com — Starship - Next Spaceflight
   2. arstechnica.com — Ars Technica - Serving the Technologist since 1998. News, reviews, and ...
   3. www.centraloregondaily.com — Starship is due to fly again from Texas as SpaceX eyes major ...
   4. theconversation.com — What we talk about when we talk about US strategic ‘credibility’ – from Vietnam to Iran
   5. tech.yahoo.com — SpaceX wants to launch Starship more than 450 times per year ...
   6. www.space.com — SpaceX thrusters just made a Tesla Roadster 'fly' (and Elon Musk's car is still out there in space) | Space
   7. www.breitbart.com — Space Articles - Breitbart
   confidence 90%
2. 28d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Earth Orbit During 14th Test Flight

   SpaceX's Starship successfully entered low Earth orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight from Boca Chica, Texas. Despite an engine failure during ascent, the 407-foot vehicle deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before the mission ended early. The spacecraft is designed for reuse and propulsive landing, with long-term goals of transporting up to 100 passengers to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX also claims the system can enable travel to any location on Earth in under one hour.

   Why it matters

   Starship consists of the Ship spacecraft stacked atop a Super Heavy booster. This super heavy-lift vehicle is intended for interplanetary flights and the refueling of other spacecraft in orbit to reach deeper space destinations.

   What is confirmed

   • The 14th Starship flight launched from Texas and achieved low Earth orbit.
   • The mission deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites.
   • Starship is designed to be reusable and capable of landing propulsively.
   • The vehicle is intended to carry up to 100 passengers on interplanetary flights.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Elon Musk estimated eight launches are required to refuel a Starship in low Earth orbit, though other estimates suggest up to twenty.
   • SpaceX claims the vehicle can enable travel to any point on Earth in under one hour.

   What to watch next

   • Verification of propulsive landing success for future flights
   • Confirmation of orbital refueling capabilities
   • Deployment of additional Starlink V3 satellite batches
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. en.wikipedia.org — SpaceX Starship (spacecraft) - Wikipedia
   2. www.wionews.com — SpaceX launches 14th Starship flight, aims for first orbit ...
   3. www.youtube.com — SpaceX’s Flight 13 Starship Returns to Starbase After Epic ...
   4. www.yahoo.com — SpaceX Starship Spotted Up Close After 75 Days At Sea - Yahoo
   confidence 90%
3. 31d ago

   SpaceX's Starship rocket reaches Earth orbit for first time

   SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully entered Earth's orbit during its 14th test flight, marking a major milestone. The uncrewed vehicle lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before ending the mission early. The rocket, standing 407 feet tall, overcame an engine failure during ascent to achieve low Earth orbit entry.

   Why it matters

   This achievement is crucial for SpaceX's future lunar and Martian missions, as Starship is intended to be a key vehicle for these endeavors. The successful deployment of Starlink V3 satellites also highlights the rocket's capability to support SpaceX's internet constellation. The mission's early termination suggests that some issues still need to be addressed.

   What is confirmed

   • The Starship rocket successfully entered Earth's orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight.
   • The rocket lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, and stood 407 feet tall.
   • The spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites during the flight.
   • The mission was ended early, with the spacecraft being brought down into the Pacific north of Hawaii after three hours in space.
   • The payload will add ten times the internet capacity of a Falcon 9 launch.

   Still unconfirmed

   • An engine issue forced an early return during Flight 14.

   What to watch next

   • The cause of the engine failure during ascent and its impact on future missions
   • The outcome of the investigation into the early termination of the mission
   • The next test flight of the Starship rocket and its objectives
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.theangryoptimist.org — The world's most powerful rocket, Starship, reached orbit ...
   2. rocketnews.com — ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket ...
   3. www.wionews.com — Starship’s 14th flight makes history, reaches orbit and ...
   4. mynews13.com — SpaceX successfully launches NASA's Crew-13 mission to the ISS
   5. ctcnews.ca — SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit But Cuts First Mission Short
   confidence 90%
4. 33d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Earth Orbit on Flight 14

   SpaceX successfully placed its Starship rocket into Earth orbit for the first time during its 14th test flight. The uncrewed vehicle lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, standing 407 feet or 124 meters tall. During the flight, the spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before ending the mission early. Flight controllers brought the spacecraft down into the Pacific north of Hawaii after three hours in space. The mission overcame an engine failure during ascent to achieve low Earth orbit entry.

   Why it matters

   Space Exploration Technologies Corp. is an American aerospace company owned by Elon Musk, headquartered at Starbase in Texas. The company develops launch vehicles like Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, with the goal of sending humans to the Moon and Mars. Reliable flights of the Starship vehicle are necessary for returning astronauts from the Moon.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX successfully entered Earth orbit for the first time with its Starship spacecraft on September 28.
   • The uncrewed Starship stands 407 feet or 124 meters tall and launched from the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.
   • The vehicle deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before flight controllers ended the mission early.
   • The spacecraft returned to Earth after three hours, descending into the Pacific north of Hawaii.

   Still unconfirmed

   • SpaceX's Starship overcame an engine failure during ascent on its 14th test flight.

   What to watch next

   • Future Starship test flights attempting to complete all six planned laps around the planet
   • Regulatory approvals for continued Starbase expansion in Texas
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. ir.spacex.com — SpaceX - Stock Information
   2. www.space.com — SpaceX | Space
   3. en.wikipedia.org — SpaceX - Wikipedia
   4. mynews13.com — SpaceX to do first orbital flight test for Starship
   5. builtin.com — What Is SpaceX? - Built In
   6. finance.yahoo.com — Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX) Stock Price, News ...
   7. www.opportunitylouisiana.gov — SpaceX in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana - LED | Louisiana ...
   8. www.youtube.com — SpaceX - YouTube
   9. www.gate.com — SpaceX Starship Achieves First Earth Orbit Entry Despite ...
   10. www.tesery.com — Starship Flight 14 Reported to Reach Low Earth Orbit
   11. www.ad-hoc-news.de — SpaceX's Starship Reaches Orbit for the First Time as Texas ...
   12. www.goodwood.com — What SpaceX’s Starship reaching orbit means for the Moon | GRR
   confidence 90%
5. 40d ago

   SpaceX Starship reaches orbit during 14th test flight

   SpaceX successfully placed its Starship rocket into Earth orbit for the first time on September 28. The vehicle deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites before flight controllers ended the mission early out of an abundance of caution. The spacecraft returned to Earth after three hours, descending into the Pacific north of Hawaii. This flight lasted longer than previous tests, which lasted an hour at most and only skimmed space. While the mission reached orbit, it failed to complete the six planned laps around the planet.

   Why it matters

   Orbital flight is a requirement for Starship to prove its readiness for NASA's Artemis moon program. The vehicle is designed for future missions to the Moon and Mars. This test utilized a Super Heavy booster powered by 33 Raptor engines.

   What is confirmed

   • Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time during Flight 14 on September 28.
   • The rocket deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into space.
   • Flight controllers returned the spacecraft to Earth after three hours instead of the planned six orbits.
   • The vehicle descended into the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii.
   • Previous test flights lasted an hour at most and only skimmed space.

   Still unconfirmed

   • One of the rocket engines shut down too soon during the trip to orbit.
   • The Starlink V3 deployment had 20x the capacity of a Falcon 9 mission.

   What to watch next

   • NASA's certification of Starship for the Artemis moon program
   • Details on the cause of the early mission termination
   • Results of the next orbital test flight
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.whec.com — SpaceX's supersized Starship launches into orbit for the first time but flight ends early - WHEC.com
   2. www.chronicleonline.com — SpaceX Starship makes it to orbit for the 1st time
   3. rocketnews.com — ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket ...
   4. gcn.com — Starship reaches orbit for the first time, deploying 26 ...
   5. fastcompanyme.com — SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit for the first time but ...
   confidence 90%
6. 41d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Earth Orbit for First Time

   SpaceX launched its 407-foot Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase in South Texas, achieving Earth orbit for the first time on September 28. Driven by 33 Raptor engines on its Super Heavy booster, the vehicle lifted off at 7:48 a.m. CDT. Although mission parameters originally called for a ten-hour flight completing six orbits, the spacecraft returned to Earth after a three-hour mission. During the flight, Starship successfully deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into space before an early conclusion to the test.

   Why it matters

   Achieving Earth orbit marks a major milestone for SpaceX as the company works to develop the massive rocket for future missions to the moon and Mars. The flight successfully proceeded despite fears that an initial engine failure after the Texas launch would ruin the attempt. The vehicle also deployed its most advanced Starlink satellites yet during the flight.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase in South Texas.
   • The 407-foot rocket reached Earth orbit for the first time on September 28.
   • The spacecraft successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites into orbit.

   Still unconfirmed

   • There were fears that an initial engine failure after the Texas launch would scupper the orbital attempt.

   What to watch next

   • Future test flights building on the first successful orbital insertion
   • Further deployment data for Starlink V3 satellites
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. mynews13.com — NASA and SpaceX successfully launch Nancy Grace Roman telescope
   2. www.theguardian.com — ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket ...
   3. www.usatoday.com — Starship reaches orbit after Texas launch. What's next for SpaceX?
   4. time.com — A SpaceX Starship Rocket Officially Reached Orbit. Why ... - TIME
   5. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — SpaceX's 'biggest, most powerful' rocket reaches Earth orbit for first time
   6. tech.yahoo.com — SpaceX Starship splashes down after successful 1st orbital ...
   confidence 100%
7. 43d ago

   SpaceX Starship Completes Historic Orbit

   SpaceX launched its 407-foot Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase in South Texas, achieving Earth orbit for the first time. Propelled by 33 Raptor engines on its Super Heavy booster, the vehicle lifted off at 7:48 a.m. CDT. Although mission parameters initially called for a ten-hour flight completing six orbits, the spacecraft returned to Earth after a three-hour mission. During the flight, Starship successfully deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into space before an early conclusion to the test.

   Why it matters

   SpaceX was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. The company designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Concurrently, SpaceX launched its Crew-13 mission carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets.
   • SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.

   What to watch next

   • Further test flights of the Starship rocket to achieve the originally planned ten-hour mission duration
   • Additional deployment tests of Starlink V3 satellites during future orbital flights
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.spacex.com — SpaceX - Starship Flight 14
   2. www.space.com — Liftoff! SpaceX launches Crew-13 astronauts to International Space Station for NASA (video) | Space
   3. www.space.com — SpaceX Crew-13 astronauts dock at ISS less than 8 hours after launch in fastest American flight ever | Sp....
   4. www.bbc.co.uk — Cheers as SpaceX rocket circles Earth for first time - BBC
   5. www.opb.org — New space station crew launches from Florida on SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule - OPB
   confidence 100%
8. 45d ago

   SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit and Deploys Satellites

   SpaceX successfully launched its massive Starship rocket on its 14th test flight from Starbase in South Texas, achieving Earth orbit for the first time. The 407-foot vehicle lifted off at 7:48 a.m. CDT, powered by 33 Raptor engines on its Super Heavy booster. Although mission parameters initially called for a ten-hour flight completing six orbits, the spacecraft returned to Earth after a three-hour mission. During the flight, Starship successfully deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites into space before an early conclusion to the test.

   Why it matters

   Reaching orbit marks a critical milestone for SpaceX as the company works toward developing regular commercial missions and full reusability for its mega-rocket. The vehicle is intended to transport humans to the lunar surface as soon as 2028, alongside eventual missions to Mars. This success follows a sequence of previous test flights by the world's largest and most powerful rocket.

   What is confirmed

   • SpaceX launched the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket from Starbase, Texas, on September 28, 2026, at 7:48 a.m. CDT.
   • Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket and spacecraft, standing 407 feet tall.
   • The Super Heavy booster was powered by 33 Raptor engines during the lift-off.
   • The spacecraft successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites into space.
   • The test flight concluded after three hours rather than the planned 10-hour duration.

   Still unconfirmed

   • One of the upper stage's six engines failed after booster separation during the flight.

   What to watch next

   • Investigation reports regarding the engine failure during the upper stage burn
   • SpaceX schedule adjustments for future Starship orbital test flights and commercial payload deployments
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. cnn.com — Live updates: SpaceX launches unprecedented test flight of massive Starship, aiming for orbit
   2. bbc.com — SpaceX to launch Starship into orbit around Earth for first time
   3. bbc.co.uk — SpaceX's Starship rocket returning to Earth after orbiting the planet - watch live
   4. Al Jazeera — SpaceX’s showpiece Starship rocket reaches orbit for first time
   5. The Guardian — ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket circles Earth for first time
   6. www.cnbc.com — SpaceX launches its massive Starship rocket into orbit for ...
   7. www.bbc.com — Watch live: SpaceX launches Starship rocket
   8. techcrunch.com — SpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit for the first time
   9. Phys.org — SpaceX's Starship rocket does its job during first orbital ...
   10. abcnews.com — SpaceX Starship splashes down after successful 1st orbital ...
   11. www.techspot.com — SpaceX's Starship finally reaches orbit and puts 26 Starlink satellites into space
   12. www.straitstimes.com — SpaceX’s Starship makes orbital debut deploying Starlinks before early ending
   confidence 100%