SpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit, deploys Starlink satellites

Key Takeaways

SpaceX's Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time despite an engine issue.
The mission deployed 26 next-generation Starlink satellites.
Starship is set for routine use starting later this year.

SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully reached orbit on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the company. The uncrewed 40-storey-tall vehicle, consisting of a Super Heavy booster rocket and the main upper-stage Starship vessel, launched from SpaceX's Starbase complex near Brownsville, Texas.

The Super Heavy booster successfully lofted the Starship upper stage into space before returning to Gulf waters for an engine-controlled splashdown. This followed hard landings on two previous missions, showcasing SpaceX's growing expertise in rocket recovery.

However, the mission faced an unexpected challenge when one of Starship's three main engines shut down prematurely upon reaching space. SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot initially announced that the craft would not commit to orbit due to the engine issue.

But engineers quickly reversed the decision, and Starship successfully completed the necessary engine firing to enter orbit. Once in orbit, Starship deployed 26 next-generation Starlink satellites one by one at an altitude of roughly 269 km.

Elon Musk confirmed the successful deployment on X, stating, 'All 26 Starlink V3 operational satellites deployed and operating nominally.'

The mission was originally scheduled to last 10 hours, but was shortened to three hours due to the engine problem. Starship was built to launch SpaceX's Starlink satellites more frequently and carry future NASA missions to the moon, with Musk envisioning hourly flights in the future.

This successful orbit marks a significant step for Starship, which has undergone nearly a decade of development and cost SpaceX over $15 billion. The company plans to put the vehicle into routine use starting later this year, with Starship expected to complete six Earth orbits during a 10-hour mission.

Despite the early ending, the successful deployment of the Starlink satellites and the rocket's ability to reach orbit despite the engine issue demonstrate SpaceX's progress and the potential for future space missions.