SpaceX Starship reaches orbit for the first time and deploys 26 Starlink satellites

Starbase, Texas, September 28, 2026: SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday and deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, Reuters reported.

The uncrewed, 40-storey vehicle lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase complex in Texas. One of its engines shut down unexpectedly during the flight, but engineers confirmed that the spacecraft could still perform the manoeuvre needed to reach orbit. The engine issue shortened the planned 10-hour test to about three hours.

First orbital payload

After reaching space, Starship deployed all 26 Starlink V3 satellites at an altitude of roughly 269 kilometres. SpaceX said the satellites were operating normally. The new satellites are designed to carry substantially more data than the company’s previous V2 mini satellites.

Why the milestone matters

The orbital achievement is an important test for SpaceX’s plan to use Starship for more frequent Starlink launches and future NASA Artemis missions to the Moon. The vehicle is intended to become a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying large payloads.

The mission was nevertheless an experimental flight. The Super Heavy booster completed a controlled splashdown, although some booster engines stopped working during descent. Future flights will need to demonstrate consistent reliability, recovery and routine operations.

Source

This article is an original bilingual rewrite based on Reuters’ September 28, 2026 report. Source: Reuters.