SpaceX launched its colossal Starship rocket into orbit for the first time on Monday, with the goal of completing six full orbits around Earth to demonstrate its readiness for NASA’s Artemis moon program. The flight marks a significant milestone for the company’s ambitious space program.
Although one of its engines shut down prematurely, flight controllers proceeded with the mission after determining that the remaining engines were functioning adequately. Mission Control announced, "Starship is orbital," to cheers from the SpaceX team.
During the flight, the 407-foot (124-meter) rocket deployed 26 of the latest Starlink satellites, adding to the existing constellation providing internet service. These satellites were released one by one, eliciting further applause from observers at the launch site in Starbase, Texas.
This was Starship’s 14th full-scale launch from Texas. Previous test flights had a much shorter range, often ending in fiery crashes after reaching only as far as the Indian Ocean. This latest mission aimed for a sustained orbital trajectory at an altitude of approximately 170 miles (275 kilometers), with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Chile.
The first-stage booster was not intended to return to the Starbase launch site, instead executing a planned descent into the Gulf of Mexico shortly after liftoff.
SpaceX’s development strategy for Starship emphasizes reusability as a key factor in reducing launch costs. Engineers have incorporated lessons learned from previous flights, including modifications to the heat shield based on inspections of a Starship recovered from the Indian Ocean in July. The company is also preparing for future Starship launches from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and a planned site in Louisiana.
If this orbital debut proves successful, SpaceX intends to catch the next returning Starship with mechanical arms at the launch pad. This capability is seen as a critical step toward certifying Starship for future missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon and eventually send them to Mars. Subsequent Artemis missions are planned to utilize Starship as a lunar lander.