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Watch: From launch to fiery splashdown, SpaceX's Starship completes orbit test

September 28, 2026

SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully completed an orbital test flight, concluding with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean after approximately three hours in space. Although the mission was originally planned to last around ten hours, the SpaceX team made the decision to terminate it earlier than scheduled. During its time in orbit, the spacecraft successfully deployed twenty-six advanced Starlink V3 satellites to enhance the existing internet service constellation.

Who is affected

  • SpaceX and its operational team
  • Users of Starlink broadband internet services on Earth
  • Future potential crew and passengers for interplanetary flights (up to 100 people)
  • The broader space exploration industry

What action is being taken

  • Starship is splashing down in the Pacific Ocean
  • The SpaceX team is ending the mission early (from planned 10 hours to about 3 hours)
  • The ship is deploying 26 "next generation" Starlink V3 satellites

Why it matters

  • This mission demonstrates significant progress in developing reusable spacecraft technology capable of supporting ambitious space exploration goals. Starship represents the world's most powerful launch vehicle, which is critical for SpaceX's vision of making interplanetary travel commercially viable and expanding global internet coverage through the Starlink constellation.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC