SpaceX's Starship launches on first orbital mission from Texas

NPR News Monday 28 September 2026, 13:15 UTC By Brendan Byrne 1 min read

Key Points

Starship is key to SpaceX's commercial success and NASA's plans to land humans on the moon. This is the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship, but the first time it aims to reach orbit.(Image credit: Ronaldo Schemidt)

Starship is key to SpaceX's commercial success and NASA's plans to land humans on the moon. This is the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship, but the first time it aims to reach orbit.

(Image credit: Ronaldo Schemidt)

SpaceX (ORG) Texas Starship (ORG) NASA (ORG) Ronaldo Schemidt (PERSON)

Originally published by NPR News Read original →

SpaceX has launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time, aiming for six laps around Earth to prove its readiness for NASA's Artemis moon program. The spacecraft almost didn't achieve the long-desired goal, after one of its engines shut down too soon. If all goes well with this orbital debut, the next Starship will return to the launch pad with giant mechanical arms grabbing the hovering spacecraft.

ABC Australia 21m ago

SpaceX's Starship launches on first orbital mission from Texas

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