Starship reaches orbit and deploys 26 satellites before early return

Starship Flight 14 reached orbit and deployed 26 Starlink satellites, but an upper-stage engine shutdown cut short its planned six-orbit flight.

Starship Flight 14 reached Earth orbit on September 28, 2026, a first for the full-scale program, and deployed 26 third-generation Starlink satellites. An upper-stage engine shut down early during ascent. SpaceX ended the planned six-orbit mission, and the ship splashed down in the Pacific north of Hawaii about three hours after liftoff.