SpaceX to Attempt First Orbit of Starship on Sept 22
Executive Summary
"SpaceX is preparing for a landmark moment as Starship attempts its first-ever orbit during the vehicle’s 14th test flight. The mission will also deploy 26 third-generation Starlink satellites, marking a major step toward larger broadband network expansion."
SpaceX is poised to reach a defining moment in its aerospace ambitions on September 22, as the company prepares for the 14th test flight of its Starship mega-rocket. For the first time, the aerospace firm will attempt to place the vehicle's upper stage into Earth's orbit. The launch window opens at 7:15 a.m. CT, and alongside the orbital insertion, SpaceX plans to deploy the first batch of 26 third-generation (V3) Starlink satellites into its existing network of 10,000 internet satellites.
This milestone comes just months after SpaceX became a publicly traded company in the largest IPO in history this past June. If successful, this launch will mark the first time Starship generates revenue for SpaceX's launch division, even if that revenue is essentially an internal transfer from the Starlink division. The previous test flight in July successfully demonstrated V3 Starlink deployment capabilities, though those satellites burned up in Earth's atmosphere after roughly 20 minutes as part of a controlled test.
The stakes for this orbital attempt are incredibly high. SpaceX has poured billions of dollars into the Starship program with the ultimate goal of replacing its reliable Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. Founder and CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the older rockets will be retired once Starship is flying