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SpaceX plans first Starship orbital flight for September 22
SpaceX has announced plans for the 14th Starship test flight, scheduled for September 22, 2026, pending regulatory approval. This mission marks a critical transition from suborbital tests to the company’s first attempt at an orbital flight. The Starship upper stage is expected to reach an altitude of approximately 275 km and complete roughly six orbits around Earth during a mission lasting about ten hours.
A primary objective of the flight is the deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites. To assist in technical evaluations, three of these satellites will be equipped with cameras to inspect the Starship heat shield during flight. Following the deployment, the upper stage is planned to perform a deorbit burn using a single Raptor engine before executing a controlled reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, west of Chile.
The Super Heavy booster will also undergo testing, with a planned controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX has implemented hardware and software modifications to the booster to improve engine filtering and relight reliability following observations from previous flights. If successful, this mission will represent the first time a Starship flight generates revenue for the company’s launch division.
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- [● 7 SOURCES] The rocket will fly at an altitude of approximately 275 km. www.europesays.com · www.technology-in-business.net · t3n.de · olhardigital.com.br · www.business-punk.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The mission targets a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. www.technology-in-business.net · www.it-boltwise.de · olhardigital.com.br · spacepolicyonline.com · www.business-punk.com
- [● 20 SOURCES] SpaceX intends to launch the 14th Starship test flight on September 22, 2026. espiganoticias.net · www.europesays.com · www.technology-in-business.net · t3n.de · www.it-boltwise.de · +15 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The launch will take place from the Starbase facility in South Texas. www.europesays.com · www.it-boltwise.de · newspaceeconomy.ca · www.space.com · www.mixvale.com.br · +1 more
- [DISPUTED] The mission aims to deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit. espiganoticias.net · www.europesays.com · www.technology-in-business.net · t3n.de · www.it-boltwise.de · +13 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The mission includes a deorbit burn using a single Raptor engine. www.technology-in-business.net · spacepolicyonline.com · www.business-punk.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Three of the Starlink satellites will carry cameras to inspect the Starship heat shield. t3n.de · olhardigital.com.br · www.space.com · www.klix.ba · www.portalanalitika.me
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Starship upper stage is expected to complete approximately six orbits around Earth. www.europesays.com · www.technology-in-business.net · t3n.de · www.it-boltwise.de · olhardigital.com.br · +3 more