SpaceX giant Starship makes orbital flight, launches satellites

SpaceX’s next-generation Starship reached orbit for the first time on September 28, completing the key test despite an unexpected engine shutdown. Mission Control kept the flight going after confirming other systems were functioning, and the rocket deployed its first batch of new Starlink satellites, though the overall mission ended several hours earlier than planned. The flight marked a major milestone as SpaceX works toward future Moon and Mars missions and NASA’s Artemis program. Starship, the 407-foot (124-meter) rocket developed by Elon Musk, carried 26 of its newest Starlink satellites to join about 11,000 older ones already providing internet service. SpaceX planned multiple Earth loops at about 170 miles (275 kilometers) and a splashdown in the Pacific near Chile. The first-stage booster was not designed to return to Starbase, and SpaceX is aiming for full reusability to reduce launch costs.