SpaceX targets September 22 for first Starship orbital launch attempt
SpaceX plans to launch its 14th Starship test flight as early as September 22 from Texas, pending regulatory approval, marking the first attempt to send the vehicle into orbit. The mission will carry 26 large V3 Starlink satellites to a 275 km orbit, with the upper stage aiming to complete six orbits over roughly 10 hours.
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Reaching orbit would be a major milestone for Starship's development, which has progressed unevenly since its first test in April 2023. The company has also made hardware and software fixes to the Super Heavy booster after engine icing problems caused a hard splashdown in July, signaling continued iteration toward a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket.
- First orbital attempt for Starship, targeted for September 22 from Texas
- Mission will deploy 26 upgraded V3 Starlink satellites into a 275 km orbit
- Booster upgrades address engine icing issues seen in the July test flight
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See SpaceX Starship Collectible Model Rocket on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-09-15
Published there as: “SpaceX sets launch date for first Starship orbital flight”
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