SpaceX’s Starship has reached orbit for the first time, marking a major step in the development of the company’s reusable megarocket and its plans for expanded satellite operations.
The 120-metre-tall spacecraft lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas on Monday on its 14th test flight.
About 26 minutes after launch, the upper stage separated from the Super Heavy booster and reached orbit following a second engine burn.
The spacecraft subsequently began deploying 26 next-generation Starlink satellites, designed to expand SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation.
The test was expected to last about 10 hours, with Starship scheduled to orbit the Earth several times before completing its journey in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX had initially placed the spacecraft on a suborbital trajectory as a precaution before conducting the additional burn required to enter orbit.
The Super Heavy booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico shortly after launch.
The latest test represents a significant change from previous Starship flights, which had been conducted on less demanding suborbital trajectories and ended in several explosions.
SpaceX is developing Starship as a fully reusable launch system for future commercial missions, satellite deployment and potential crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
The company is also planning to test orbital refuelling as part of the next phase of Starship development.
For the latest flight, SpaceX targeted an orbit about 275 kilometres above Earth, requiring the spacecraft to reach a speed of approximately 28,000 kilometres per hour.
Despite the successful orbital flight, the programme still faces technical challenges before Starship can begin regular commercial operations, including the development of reliable reusability and orbital refuelling.
The test comes as SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink network and maintain its position as a major player in the global launch market through its partially reusable Falcon rockets.
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