SpaceX Starship launched 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit on its 14th flight

SpaceX successfully conducted the 14th test flight of the Starship heavy transport system from the Starbase spaceport in Texas. One.uz reports this.

During this flight, the upper stage of the spacecraft reached orbit for the first time, fulfilling the task of deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit. The previous 13 test flights were conducted only in suborbital trajectories, so this mission remains in history as the first orbital achievement.

Flight stages and technical results 6 minutes and 50 seconds after the flight began, the Super Heavy B21 first stage landed under control in a designated area in the Gulf of Mexico. The Starship S41 upper stage entered an orbit at an altitude of 275 kilometers 25 minutes after launch and successfully deployed all satellites.

SpaceX specialists confirmed that stable communication was established with all spacecraft. Problems encountered and solutions One of the Raptor vacuum engines failed during the orbital phase.

Due to this malfunction, it was decided to conclude the flight earlier than the planned 10-hour and 6-orbit program. After three hours in flight and completing two full orbits around Earth, the spacecraft was directed to a pre-designated point in the Gulf of Mexico and landed in the water under control.

Future plans Experts evaluate the Flight 14 mission as a complete success because its primary objectives—orbital exit and payload delivery—were fully achieved. SpaceX plans to conduct the next 15th test flight in approximately three weeks to reinforce current results.