SpaceX Starship Reaches Orbit for First Time, Deploys 26 Starlink Satellites

SpaceX's uncrewed Starship Flight 14 lifted off from Starbase, Texas, at 12:48 UTC on September 28 and reached Earth orbit for the first time. The spacecraft deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites after orbital insertion, according to updated reporting on the flight. One upper-stage engine shut down early, but flight controllers approved the insertion burn and the vehicle entered orbit. The test marked Starship's 14th integrated flight; a later report said the planned long-duration mission was ending early.