Starship reaches orbit for the first time despite engine failure on ascent
Starship reached orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight, lifting off from Texas at 7.48am local time. An engine failed on ascent, and some feared that would end the attempt. Controllers judged it safe to press on with the burn. Cheers broke out at SpaceX. Daniel Hewitt, an engineer narrating the live stream, then said: "Starship is in orbit."
SpaceX intends the flight to lead to future missions to the moon and Mars. Orbital paths are harder to control than the suborbital ones used on earlier test flights.
Source: ‘Starship is in orbit’: cheers go up as huge SpaceX rocket circles Earth for first time (theguardian.com).
Written by the HappyGood desk from the primary source linked above and checked against it. Every story links its source. Corrections: [email protected].
More from the archive
- Blind Herefordshire writer gains international acclaim for debut short film Blind Faith October 18, 2026
- At 91, Barrie man stays active every day at East Bayfield Community Centre October 18, 2026
- Wrexham care home residents take nostalgic train ride through Dee Valley October 17, 2026
- Roslin pupils sow wildflower meadow by hand at Roslin Glen October 16, 2026
- Oyster sanctuary network in North Carolina's Pamlico Sound reaches 500-acre goal October 16, 2026