Despite One Engine Failure... 'Starship' Rocket Reaches Orbit for the First Time

- Carries 26 next-generation “Starlink” satellites in a mission targeting orbital deployment

SpaceX’s “Starship” rocket achieved a new milestone in its 14th test flight, reaching Earth orbit for the first time despite one engine failing during ascent.

The rocket, standing approximately 124 meters tall, launched on Monday morning from SpaceX’s facility in southern Texas, USA, on its first orbital flight following 13 previous suborbital test flights.

According to Reuters, one of Starship’s engines malfunctioned during ascent, initially raising doubts about the vehicle’s ability to reach orbit before it successfully achieved that goal for the first time.

The vehicle is carrying 26 next-generation “Starlink V3” satellites as part of a mission aimed at deploying them into orbit, a significant step in SpaceX’s plans to use Starship to expand its space-based internet network.

Under the mission plan, Starship is scheduled to orbit Earth approximately six times during a journey lasting about 10 hours, before attempting re-entry and executing a water landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile.

Starship is central to SpaceX’s plans to develop a reusable space transportation system. NASA also relies on a modified version of the vehicle for landing astronauts on the lunar surface under the Artemis program.