SpaceX Starship reaches orbit, deploys 26 satellites

SpaceX’s Starship rocket achieved a major milestone on Tuesday by entering Earth orbit for the first time and releasing 26 artificial satellites. The vehicle subsequently splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant step in the development of the giant rocket designed for future lunar and Martian missions. This success comes three years after the spacecraft’s initial test flights.

Orbital insertion details

The American company managed to place the rocket into a circular orbit at an altitude of approximately 275 kilometers above Earth’s surface. Reaching this trajectory required the vehicle to attain speeds close to 28,000 kilometers per hour. The deployment of these new satellites expands SpaceX’s massive constellation dedicated to providing space-based internet services.

Flight duration and landing

A live broadcast indicated that the mission concluded much faster than anticipated, with the rocket reaching orbit roughly 26 minutes after launch. The upper stage of the Starship landed in the ocean off the coast of Chile. It restarted its engines to execute a water landing but exploded after tipping onto its side.

Next phase of development

SpaceX hopes this latest experiment will inaugurate a "new phase" in the rocket’s development program. Key objectives for this upcoming stage include conducting tests for refueling operations while in orbit.