Starship reaches orbit and deploys satellites, but ends test flight early

SpaceX’s Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time on Monday, 28 September, during its 14th test flight. The uncrewed rocket launched from Starbase, Texas, and its upper stage deployed all 26 operational Starlink V3 satellites aboard—the programme’s first delivery of satellites to orbit. SpaceX said the satellites were operating normally after deployment. 

The launch was not trouble-free. One of Starship’s vacuum engines shut down prematurely during ascent. SpaceX briefly considered keeping the spacecraft on a suborbital trajectory, then proceeded with the burn that put it into orbit. The Super Heavy booster also lost an engine, but made its planned controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

SpaceX subsequently shortened the mission from a planned six orbits and almost ten hours to just over three hours. Starship re-entered the atmosphere, turned upright for its landing burn and reached the Pacific Ocean. It then tipped over and erupted in a fireball. Recovery of the spacecraft had not been planned.

The result is a major advance, but a partial test: Starship demonstrated orbital flight and delivered a real payload, while the engine shutdown and shortened mission leave questions for SpaceX to examine. The dramatic end should not be mistaken for a failed launch; the Pacific splashdown was planned, although the flight ended earlier than intended.

The flight also matters to NASA, which is relying on a version of Starship for future lunar missions. Before it can carry astronauts to the Moon, SpaceX still needs to demonstrate additional capabilities, including in-orbit operations and propellant transfer between spacecraft.

Source: GV Wire, spacepolicyonline.com