After 13 test flights: Starship will attempt to reach orbit for the first time tomorrow

SpaceX will attempt to launch the Starship rocket into orbit for the first time, aiming to deploy Starlink satellites. A successful launch would mark a significant step for the space industry, but carries new risks, including concerns about collisions with active satellites.

SpaceX will attempt tomorrow (Monday, September 28, 2026) to launch the Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, into orbit for the first time. The launch is intended to deploy the new generation of Starlink internet satellites. Since 2023, Starship prototypes have conducted 13 test flights, nearly half of which ended in explosions. Unlike previous flights that were in safe suborbital trajectories, the attempt to reach orbit eliminates the safety net – loss of control could lead to collisions with active satellites. Professor Joseph Gonzalez from the University of Illinois warns of many possible malfunctions. SpaceX faces engineering challenges, including issues with reigniting the 'Super Heavy' booster engines (only 8 out of 13 engines successfully ignited in the previous flight) and developing a heat shield that can withstand temperatures over 1,370 degrees Celsius. The ability to fully reuse the rocket is considered the 'holy grail' of the industry, aiming to dramatically reduce launch costs. This vision is key to Elon Musk's plans, including a NASA contract to land astronauts on the Moon and establish a city on Mars. The transition to Starship is expected to lead to the gradual phasing out of Falcon 9 flights, raising concerns about a 'bottleneck' in access to space.