SpaceX's uncrewed Starship reached orbit for the first time on Monday, marking a milestone for the company's commercial ambitions and NASA's plans to return humans to the moon.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Starship launched on its first orbital mission from Texas.
- This was the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship.
- The vehicle had previously flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit, according to Ars Technica.
- The flight deployed SpaceX's first next-generation Starlink satellites.
- Starship is central to SpaceX's commercial success and NASA's plans to land humans on the moon, according to NPR.
SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time on Monday, launching on an uncrewed mission from Texas, according to NPR. The flight marked a significant step for the massive rocket, which is central to both the company’s commercial plans and NASA’s ambitions to land humans on the moon.
The launch was the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship, but the first time the vehicle aimed to reach orbit, NPR reported. Previous test flights had brought the program progressively closer to that goal.
According to Ars Technica, Starship had already flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit on earlier missions. Monday’s flight added the final stretch needed to complete the journey to orbit.
The mission also carried operational cargo, deploying SpaceX’s first next-generation Starlink satellites, Ars Technica reported. That made the flight both a technical milestone and an early demonstration of the vehicle’s role in expanding the company’s satellite internet network.
Starship’s development is closely tied to NASA’s plans, as the vehicle is intended to help land astronauts on the lunar surface, according to NPR. Reaching orbit is a key requirement for the more complex missions the rocket is designed to eventually carry out.
Why it matters
Reaching orbit is a critical milestone for Starship, the vehicle SpaceX is counting on for its commercial future and that NASA needs for its plans to return astronauts to the moon. The successful deployment of next-generation Starlink satellites also signals the rocket is beginning to take on operational work beyond testing.
Frequently asked questions
How many times has Starship flown?
According to NPR, Monday's launch was the 14th flight of the uncrewed Starship, but the first time it aimed to reach orbit.
What did the flight carry?
The flight deployed SpaceX's first next-generation Starlink satellites, according to Ars Technica.
Why is Starship important to NASA?
NPR reports that Starship is key to NASA's plans to land humans on the moon, in addition to being central to SpaceX's commercial success.
Timeline
- SpaceX's Starship goes orbital, deploying first next-gen Starlinks
Ars Technica: Starship had already flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit. Monday's flight added the last bit.
- SpaceX's Starship launches on first orbital mission from Texas
NPR News: 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.