SpaceX Will Launch Starship Flight 14 on September 28
The mission will test extended orbital flight and deploy 26 V3 satellites pending final regulatory approval.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Space
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SpaceX has rescheduled the launch of Starship Flight 14 from Starbase, Texas, to September 28, 2026. This mission follows 13 previous test flights conducted since April 2023 and remains subject to pending regulatory approval.
Why it matters
This flight marks a critical step in the Starship program as it aims for a 10-hour duration, significantly longer than previous tests. Success will validate the platform's capability for extended orbital operations and payload deployment.
The mission profile targets an orbital altitude of 275 kilometres for six full Earth orbits. The flight plan expects a total mission duration of approximately 10 hours before the Super Heavy booster returns to the Gulf of Mexico.
The players
SpaceX
A private aerospace manufacturer that develops the Falcon and Starship launch vehicle stacks for orbital delivery.
The details
The mission objectives include the deployment of 26 Starlink V3 satellites while in orbit. The Super Heavy booster, the first stage of the launch system, is designed to separate and perform a controlled return toward the Gulf of Mexico. The spacecraft will then proceed to complete six orbits at 275 kilometres before concluding the flight.
Timeline
April 2023: First Starship test flight.
September 22, 2026: Original scheduled date for Flight 14.
September 28, 2026: Updated target launch date for Flight 14.
The Tech Race
This mission continues the aggressive iterative flight cadence of the SpaceX Starship development program. It follows 13 previous test flights, marking a shift toward long-duration mission profiles and active satellite deployment.
The mission is intended to deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites, which will eventually expand connectivity capacity for users of the broadband service. Deployment remains contingent on the successful completion of the flight and receipt of necessary regulatory sign-offs.
The takeaway
This flight marks a pivot toward operational-style testing in a notoriously experimental program. Watch the upcoming regulatory approval filings to confirm the final launch go-ahead for the September 28 date.
What happens next
The launch window is scheduled to open at 5:45 pm IST on September 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more background on ongoing orbital testing, visit the Space section.
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Do you support the continued rapid testing of large-scale private spacecraft like SpaceX's Starship?
