Historic milestone: 124-meter Starship rocket achieves orbit for the first time
Starship completes its first orbital flight (screenshot: SpaceX)
SpaceX has carried out a historic launch of the 124-meter Starship rocket from its launch site in Texas. During the 14th test flight, the world's most powerful spacecraft reached Earth orbit for the first time, according to the SpaceX broadcast.
The launch took place on September 28 at 15:49 Kyiv time. The rocket's design consists of two fully reusable stages—the Super Heavy booster and the 52-meter-high Ship upper stage.
Successful separation and satellite deployment
The lower Super Heavy stage successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico a few minutes after liftoff following separation.
The upper Ship stage continues its mission, scheduled to complete six orbits around Earth. Its landing is planned in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile approximately 10 hours after launch.
During this orbital flight, the spacecraft successfully accomplished several important practical tasks:
- 26 next-generation Starlink internet satellites were deployed into Earth orbit;
- The formation of a new space constellation began, which Musk plans will eventually consist of 100,000 units;
- The functionality of maneuvering systems and stage separation in space was confirmed.
Liftoff of Starship! pic.twitter.com/40D8bXSkr2
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2026
Significance for the Artemis program
A successful orbital launch is critically important for the entire space industry. It is the modified Starship spacecraft that NASA has selected as the lunar lander for the Artemis IV mission.
As part of this program, American astronauts are scheduled to set foot on the Moon's surface again in 2028—for the first time since 1972.
The fully reusable concept of the rocket is expected to significantly reduce the cost of cargo delivery and pave the way for further colonization of Mars.
