SpaceX's Starship goes orbital, deploying first next-gen Starlinks
Starship had already flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit. Monday’s flight added the last bit.
TL;DR
- SpaceX's Starship rocket achieved its first orbital flight on its 14th test mission, launching from Starbase, Texas.
- The rocket successfully deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, which are too large for the Falcon 9 rocket.
- Despite engine malfunctions during ascent and return maneuvers, SpaceX proceeded with the orbital insertion burn.
- Starship reached an altitude of approximately 171 miles (276 kilometers) in a stable orbit.
- The Starlink V3 satellites offer significant upgrades, including 1 Tbps of capacity per satellite.
- The mission concluded with a controlled splashdown in the northern Pacific Ocean, with the vehicle breaking apart upon impact.
- Future Starship flights are planned from Florida, and the company aims for routine orbital flights and eventual rapid reuse of the vehicle.