SpaceX on Monday launched the world’s largest and most powerful rocket and spacecraft on a mission that marks the first time the spacecraft has achieved orbit.
If the company’s 14th test flight goes as planned, it will also be the first Starship mission to make money for SpaceX. The company successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites into orbit to build out its satellite internet division, SpaceX’s primary revenue generator.
SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship lifts off on a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Sept. 28, 2026.
SpaceX
The flight lifted off at 8:50 a.m. ET from SpaceX’s Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The launch was initially scheduled for 8:15 a.m. ET but that was pushed Monday morning to 8:48 a.m. ET. Flight controllers had a 75-minute launch window to get the spacecraft off the pad.
Despite losing one engine during the ascent to space, which was not needed to achieve orbit, the spacecraft successfully executed its orbital insertion burn.
SpaceX Starship Flight 14 launches at SpaceX Starbase in Starbase, Texas, September 28, 2026.
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images
Just over a half-hour into the mission, Starship began deploying its payload of 26 Starlink V3 satellites, marking the first time that the Starlink satellites have been placed into orbit for ongoing use. Previous missions deployed either Starlink simulators or satellites that burned up in the atmosphere.
SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship heads to being in Earth’s orbit after lifting off from Starbase, Texas, Sept. 28, 2026.
SpaceX
The mission was scheduled to last just under 10 hours, with SpaceX is aiming for about six orbits, traveling at about 17,500 mph more than 170 miles above Earth. However, the mission includes built-in abort opportunities that SpaceX could use to end the flight early.
SpaceX decided to take advantage of their first checkpoint and end the mission early, following the successful deployment of the Starlink satellites. The vehicle will splashdown north of Hawaii about three hours into the mission, according to SpaceX.
The company did not say what factored into their decision but pointed out that this is the longest SpaceX mission to date and that they achieved their two primary objectives: reaching orbit and putting the Starlink satellites into operation.
Starship lifted off atop the vehicle’s Super Heavy booster, which separated from from the spacecraft after launch and performed a boostback burn, designed to change its direction so it can return to Earth. After the landing burn, the booster successfully splashed down in the Gulf.
The SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy v3 Booster lift off on its 14h test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, September 28, 2026.
Steve Nesius/Reuters
Starship started its flight on what SpaceX calls a “passively safe” suborbital/free-return path. This is the same trajectory the company used for previous missions.
People gather at sunset as SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
Eric Gay/AP Photo
The flight plan includes regular vehicle health checks during the flight. SpaceX says Starship has more than 500 sensors that measure things such as temperature, pressure and acceleration during the mission. In addition, the vehicle provides flight controllers with continuous telemetry data.
At the end of the mission, Starship will perform a deorbit burn using a single Raptor sea-level engine to prepare to reenter Earth’s atmosphere. The initial splashdown target was in the Pacific Ocean to the west of Chile.