LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 (World Daily Times) — SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Sept. 28, 2026, and released 26 Starlink satellites. But an engine shut down early during ascent, and SpaceX ended the test flight after about three hours instead of the roughly 10 hours planned. The flight demonstrated that Starship could reach orbit and deploy satellites; it did not complete the full mission plan.
What happened during the flight?
The launch from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas was Starship’s 14th integrated test flight. After the Super Heavy booster separated, an engine on the Starship spacecraft shut down prematurely, according to SpaceX. Flight controllers assessed the vehicle and authorized an orbit-insertion burn — an engine firing to put the spacecraft into orbit.
Starship then released 26 Starlink V3 satellites for SpaceX’s satellite internet network. Elon Musk said on X that all 26 had been deployed and were operating normally. SpaceX said it had established contact with them through laser links, ground stations and user terminals.
Why did the flight end early?
SpaceX said it chose to bring Starship back early out of caution after the engine issue. The spacecraft reentered and splashed down in the northern Pacific Ocean. AP and Reuters reported flames after it reached the water.
What remains unknown?
SpaceX has not identified the cause of the premature engine shutdown in the accounts available for this flight. It also said the satellites would undergo checks and raise their orbits before serving customers. Their deployment and initial contact do not, by themselves, establish that those steps are complete.
The result was therefore a milestone with limits: Starship reached orbit and released its payload, while the shortened flight left part of the planned test uncompleted.
