SpaceX is preparing to launch its massive Starship rocket on its 14th test mission from Starbase, Texas, targeting a launch window as early as Monday, September 28, 2026. This upcoming flight marks a major milestone for the company, representing its first attempt to send the spacecraft into Earth orbit for a sustained, multi-hour mission.
The 75-minute launch window is scheduled to open at 8:15 a.m. ET. Pending regulatory approval, the uncrewed flight will launch from the company’s facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Previous test flights have followed suborbital trajectories, arcing into space and returning to Earth within roughly an hour without completing a full orbit.
For this 14th test, however, engineers plan to test the vehicle’s long-duration orbital capabilities. To achieve a stable path roughly 170 to 275 miles above the planet, the spacecraft must fire its engines in space to hit sideways speeds of about 17,400 to 17,500 mph.
Mission Profile and Objectives
Standing 407 feet tall when fully stacked, the Version 3 Starship vehicle and its Super Heavy booster represent the world’s largest and most powerful rocket system. The 10-hour mission includes several key operational goals:
- Super Heavy Booster: The lower stage will perform stage separation and execute a landing burn in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Orbital Insertion: Starship will fire its engines in space to enter an orbit, targeting roughly six complete loops around Earth.
- Starlink Deployment: The mission will mark the first deployment of 26 third-generation Starlink satellites, adding 26 Terabits per second of capacity. Three of these satellites feature specialized cameras to inspect Starship’s heat shield.
- Reentry and Splashdown: After completing its orbits, the upper stage will execute a deorbit burn using a Raptor engine, followed by a controlled reentry and a water landing in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile.
SpaceX noted that developmental flight schedules remain dynamic and subject to change. Livestream coverage of the launch window will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to liftoff on the official SpaceX website and updates will be shared via the social media platform X.
