SpaceX aims for Starship orbit on September 22
SpaceX announced intentions to launch its Starship vehicle into orbit for the first time on September 22, pending regulatory approval.
SpaceX has announced its intention to launch its Starship vehicle into orbit for the first time on September 22. This 14th Starship mission is contingent on receiving necessary regulatory approvals.
The launch is targeted for 7:15 am local time in Texas, with a 75-minute launch window. The mission will carry 26 of the larger V3 Starlink satellites, which will be deployed into an orbit approximately 275 kilometers above Earth.
According to SpaceX, the Starship upper stage will attempt to complete six orbits around the Earth before concluding its mission after approximately 10 hours. This represents a significant step in the company's ongoing development of its heavy-lift launch system.
Previous Starship test flights have focused on shorter durations and testing individual stages closer to Earth. A successful orbital launch would be a major milestone for the company's long-term space exploration goals.