On September 28, 2026, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 completed the program’s first orbital-insertion burn and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites. The flight launched from Starbase, Texas. SpaceX said an ascent engine issue led the team to shorten the orbital phase.
Flight 14 reached orbit and deployed its payload
Orbital insertion is the burn that puts a spacecraft on a path around Earth. Ship 41 completed Starship’s first orbital-insertion burn, carrying Flight 14 beyond the program’s earlier suborbital flight profiles.
Ship 41 then deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites. SpaceX reported contact with all 26 after deployment.
An engine issue shortened the orbital phase
During ascent, one Super Heavy booster engine and one Raptor vacuum engine on Ship 41 shut down early. After assessing the sea-level Raptor engines needed for later maneuvers, SpaceX authorized the orbital-insertion burn. The company later shortened the time in orbit following the engine issue.
Neither stage was recovered for reuse
Ship 41 completed a deorbit burn and splashed down in the northern Pacific. Super Heavy Booster 21 splashed down in the Gulf. Neither stage was recovered for reuse on Flight 14.
