SpaceX says Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 next-gen Starlink satellites.
Why it matters: The flight marks a key test for SpaceX's biggest rocket and its ability to carry larger satellite loads. It also matters for future missions SpaceX has tied to Starship, including NASA-linked work.
- Starship launched from Starbase in South Texas near Brownsville on Sept. 28, 2026.
- SpaceX said the vehicle reached orbit after an engine shutdown and orbital insertion burn.
- The rocket deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, the first operational payload Starship has released.
- The FAA authorized the flight on Sept. 26 and, according to Ars Technica, did not require a formal mishap investigation.
SpaceX says Starship reached orbit for the first time on Sept. 28, 2026, a milestone for the company's fully reusable rocket program. The company said the flight launched from Starbase in South Texas near Brownsville and that the vehicle completed an orbital insertion burn before deploying 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. AP reported the mission ended with a Pacific splashdown after roughly three hours.
Dan Huot, a SpaceX commentator, said, "Most importantly, Starship made it to orbit." SpaceX later said, "Starship is orbital."
The mission was Starship's first operational payload deployment. SpaceX says the Starlink V3 satellites can add about 1 Tbps of capacity each and are too large to fit inside Falcon 9's payload fairing, making Starship the vehicle SpaceX plans to use for larger batches of its next-generation internet satellites.
The FAA authorized the flight on Sept. 26, and the agency said the flight events for Starship and the Super Heavy booster stayed within planned, FAA-authorized activities. Ars Technica reported the FAA did not require a formal mishap investigation after the mission.
By the numbers
- 26 - Starlink V3 satellites deployed on the mission
- Sept. 26 - date the FAA authorized the flight
- 1 Tbps - SpaceX's claimed capacity per Starlink V3 satellite
Yes, but: SpaceX's claim that Starship reached orbit is based on its own mission updates and should be read alongside third-party reporting of the flight's shorter-than-planned ending.