SpaceX's Starship successfully enters orbit during critical test flight.

SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully entered Earth orbit for the first time during its fourteenth test flight. The launch took place on September 28, 2026, from the company's Starbase facility in South Texas, at 8:49 AM Eastern Time (2:49 PM Italian time).

This milestone represents a decisive achievement for SpaceX after a series of previous tests. The flight's success is considered a relief for NASA, which is counting on the Starship system for its future lunar exploration missions under the Artemis program.

Starship is the largest rocket ever built, developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. The system consists of two stages: the Super Heavy booster, which provides the initial thrust, and the Starship spacecraft itself, designed to carry crew and cargo. The project aims to create a fully reusable vehicle for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The development of Starship has faced numerous tests and previous attempts, with early prototypes often ending in explosions during landings or flight phases. This fourteenth test flight therefore represents a significant breakthrough after years of experimentation. NASA has invested billions of dollars in Starship as the lunar lander for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by the end of the 2020s.

The success of this orbital test paves the way for more ambitious missions, including crewed flights and lunar landings. SpaceX also plans to use Starship for its Starlink internet satellite project and for future Martian colonies, making this milestone fundamental to the company's entire space strategy.