SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Monday and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink satellites, marking a major advance in the company’s effort to turn the giant rocket into an operational launch system.
The 14th Starship test flight lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase site in south Texas. Despite one engine shutting down during the ascent, the spacecraft completed its orbital insertion and released the satellites into low Earth orbit.
The achievement is the first time Starship has carried a meaningful payload into orbit, rather than deploying test objects on a suborbital trajectory. The satellites are part of SpaceX’s third-generation Starlink network, which is designed to increase the capacity and speed of its global internet service.
Controllers had planned a mission lasting about 10 hours, but brought the flight to an end after roughly three hours. Starship later re-entered the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean and splashed down north of Hawaii.
Starship flight brings SpaceX closer to Florida launches
The successful flight represents an important step towards SpaceX beginning Starship operations from Florida. The company is developing launch infrastructure for the vehicle at Launch Complex 39A at Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been assessing the environmental and licensing requirements for Starship-Super Heavy launches and landings from the Florida site. SpaceX has said it is building a launch and catch facility there to support the first Starship flights from the state.
Starship is intended to carry satellites, cargo and, eventually, people. Nasa is also relying on a modified version of the vehicle for planned Artemis missions to the Moon.
Monday’s flight was not without setbacks, but the successful orbital flight and satellite deployment delivered two of the programme’s most significant milestones to date.
