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SpaceX targets first orbital Starship flight September 22
SpaceX is targeting September 22 for its 14th Starship test flight, the first attempt to place the vehicle's upper stage into orbit. The mission will deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites and conduct six orbits over approximately 10 hours, following hardware and software modifications made to address issues from the previous July flight.
Quick Facts
- 14th Starship test flight
- First orbital attempt for Starship upper stage
- Deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites
- Hardware and software modifications to Super Heavy booster
- Heat shield improvements based on Flight 13 analysis
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SpaceX has announced its 14th Starship test flight for September 22, marking the company's first attempt to place the upper stage into Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 7:15 a.m. Central Time with a 75-minute window from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas, with September 23 as a backup date. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed the primary launch date.
The mission will carry 26 Starlink V3 satellites to an altitude of approximately 275 kilometers, where the upper stage is expected to complete six orbits around Earth over roughly 10 hours before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile. Upon deployment, the satellites will establish contact with ground stations and the rest of the Starlink constellation via radio-frequency and laser links.
SpaceX has made multiple hardware and software modifications to address issues encountered during the July 24 Flight 13 test. The Super Heavy booster modifications include improved engine filtering and enhanced software for relight reliability, after the previous flight experienced ice clogging in center engines during the terminal burn phase. The upper stage benefited from successful heat shield improvements based on analysis of the recovered stage from Flight 13.
For this flight, SpaceX will not attempt to catch either the booster or upper stage. The booster's primary test objectives include successful launch, ascent, stage separation, boostback burn, and a landing burn at an offshore point in the Gulf of Mexico. Reaching orbit would represent a major milestone for SpaceX's long-term goal of retiring its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets in favor of a fully reusable Starship system.
Why This Matters
SpaceX's first orbital Starship flight would demonstrate progress toward operational deployment of its next-generation launch system. Success would mark the first revenue-generating Starship mission with 26 Starlink V3 satellites entering the constellation, and validate design changes addressing previous technical issues. The outcome will inform SpaceX's timeline for retiring Falcon 9/Heavy rockets in favor of a fully reusable vehicle. A launch failure or delay affects satellite deployment schedules and SpaceX's stated development roadmap.
Timeline & Sources
Apr 20, 2023
WireFirst Starship test flight conducted
Jul 24, 2026
WireFlight 13 test conducted; first deployment of Starlink V3 satellites; in-space engine relight test successful; upper stage recovered from Indian Ocean
Sep 15, 2026
WireSpaceX announces Flight 14 scheduled for September 22; FAA confirms primary launch date
Sep 22, 2026
WireScheduled launch of Starship Flight 14 (7:15 a.m. CT / 12:15 UTC)
Sep 23, 2026
WireBackup launch date if September 22 unavailable
Related Signals
Sources
- SpaceX will try to put Starship in orbit for the first time on September 22techcrunchMediaSep 15, 2026
- SpaceX declares Starship ready for orbit, sets launch date next weekars_technicaMediaSep 15, 2026
- SpaceX targets 1st orbital Starship flight on Sept. 22xinhuaMediaSep 15, 2026
- SpaceX Starship's next test flight set for September 22cgtnMediaSep 15, 2026