SpaceX Starship reaches orbit during 14th test flight
SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time during a test flight from Texas, marking a milestone in the company’s plans for lunar and Mars missions. The spacecraft also began deploying next-generation Starlink satellites, although major technical challenges remain before commercial operations.
SpaceX’s Starship megarocket reached orbit for the first time on Monday during its 14th test flight from Texas. The more than 120-metre rocket rose through smoke before its upper stage separated from the Super Heavy booster. The upper stage reached orbit about 26 minutes after launch, prompting cheers from the launch team.
The flight was expected to last about 10 hours. The spacecraft was placed on a suborbital trajectory as a precaution, then carried out a second burn to reach orbit. Satellite deployment began shortly afterwards, with 26 next-generation Starlink satellites scheduled for release.
The spacecraft was intended to orbit Earth six times before ending its journey in the Pacific Ocean. The Super Heavy booster fell into the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier Starship tests had used less demanding suborbital paths and ended in explosions.
The latest flight is intended to provide data for development of a fully reusable system. SpaceX plans to use Starship for future lunar and Mars missions, in-orbit refuelling tests, commercial flights and possible orbital data-centre deployments. The company still faces significant technical challenges.
The test took place three months after SpaceX’s stock-market debut. The company continues to develop the rocket through successive tests, combining successful flights with failed attempts.
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