SpaceX Starship Splashes Down After Reaching Orbit in Unprecedented Test

On September 28, 2026, SpaceX's Starship completed its 14th test flight, successfully reaching orbit for the first time in an unprecedented milestone for the towering rocket system. Despite an early engine anomaly during its ascent, flight controllers decided to proceed with the mission. The Super Heavy booster executed a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship upper stage continued its journey.

After achieving orbit approximately 25 minutes after liftoff from Starbase, Texas, the Starship successfully deployed 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Although the original plan called for a nearly 10-hour flight encompassing six orbits, mission controllers opted to conclude the flight earlier. The Starship re-entered Earth's atmosphere and performed a controlled, though fiery, splashdown in the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii, roughly three hours after launch.

This orbital flight and splashdown represent a significant step forward for SpaceX, as Starship is a crucial component for NASA's future Artemis moon missions and the company's long-term aspirations for human travel to Mars. The successful deployment of operational Starlink satellites also demonstrated Starship's payload delivery capabilities.