SpaceX is preparing to launch its next Starship flight test as early as September 22, with the mission expected to attempt the vehicle’s first orbital flight and deploy Starlink V3 satellites.
The planned mission would mark the 14th test flight of Starship and represent a significant step in the rocket’s development. During its previous test in July, Starship followed a suborbital trajectory, reaching space before returning to Earth without completing an orbit.
For the upcoming flight, SpaceX plans to place Starship into orbit around Earth, allowing the company to test the vehicle during a longer-duration mission. The spacecraft is also expected to deploy the first batch of Starlink V3 satellites.
The mission remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to last nearly 10 hours. During the flight, Starship is planned to travel at an altitude of about 275 kilometers above Earth and complete approximately six orbits before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile.
SpaceX also plans to test key booster operations, including launch, stage separation, boostback and splashdown procedures.
The test is part of SpaceX’s broader effort to develop a fully reusable orbital launch system, with the company seeking to demonstrate the capabilities needed for longer-duration missions and future satellite deployment operations.
