SpaceX to launch first Starlink V3 satellites on first orbital Starship flight

SpaceX plans the 14th Starship-Super Heavy flight on Sept. 28, aiming for the program's first orbital insertion: about 25 minutes after liftoff, Ship 41 will reignite a Raptor engine to circularize its trajectory. The vehicle carries 26 Starlink V3 satellites, with deployment starting roughly 34 minutes after liftoff. Neither booster B21 nor Ship S41 will be recovered; splashdown is planned off South America about 10 hours later.

• Launch window opens 7:15 a.m. CDT (1215 UTC) on Sept. 28
• 14th integrated flight; previous 13 were suborbital
• 26 Starlink V3 satellites deployed over about 30 minutes
• Three satellites will film the heat shield; splashdown off South America