SpaceX's supersized Starship launches into orbit for the first time but flight ends early

SpaceX's Starship rocket made a test flight from Starbase, Texas, on September 28, 2026, and successfully launched into orbit for the first time. The spacecraft delivered 26 of the most advanced Starlink satellites, but the flight ended early due to safety concerns. The flight lasted just three hours, with the rocket reentering the Pacific and splashing down near Hawaii. The decision to end the flight was made after the spacecraft tipped over and erupted in flames. The mission was considered a success in terms of reaching orbit, but the early termination limited the amount of data collected.

• Starship achieved orbit at an altitude of 170 miles (275 kilometers) at 17,500 mph (28,000 kph).
• The flight was intended to span six full laps around Earth, but it ended early after a few laps.
• The rocket's first-stage booster was not meant to return to the launch site, but it did drop into the Gulf of Mexico.

The flight was the 14th full-scale launch from Starbase in three years. The earlier test flights often crashed in flames or briefly skimming space. This time, SpaceX aimed to circle the globe six times, but flight controllers decided to bring the spacecraft back early after just a couple laps. The decision to end the flight was not explained, but it was seen as a precautionary measure.

SpaceX aims to certify Starship for orbital flight, a critical step toward future moon and Mars missions. The Artemis III mission is planned for next summer, with Starship potentially docking with Orion once Blue Moon is launched. The company is also working on a second launch site in Florida and a third in Louisiana. The Starship is designed to be fully reusable, which is essential for reducing launch costs. The mission was considered a success, but the early termination limited the data collected.

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