SpaceX Starship Flight 14 is scheduled to launch from Starbase, Texas, on Monday, September 28, in the program’s first planned attempt to place the vehicle into orbit around Earth.
The launch window is set to open at 8:15 a.m. Eastern time and remain available for 75 minutes, according to SpaceX’s launch schedule.
The mission is also expected to carry 26 Starlink V3 satellites, making it the first Starship test flight designed to deploy an operational payload in orbit.
Table of Contents
When is the SpaceX Starship launch?
The SpaceX Starship launch window is scheduled for 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time on September 28.
That translates to 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Central time and 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.
As with previous Starship tests, the timing remains subject to weather, technical checks, range safety requirements and other launch-day conditions.
SpaceX’s official mission listing identifies the launch site as Pad 2 at Starbase, the company’s testing and production complex on the southern Texas coast.
What SpaceX plans to test on Flight 14
Starship Flight 14 will use the two-stage Starship system, consisting of the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft.
The flight plan calls for the booster to separate after ascent and attempt its programmed return manoeuvres before splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico.
The upper stage is expected to continue into low Earth orbit at an altitude of roughly 275 kilometres.
During the orbital portion of the mission, SpaceX plans to release 26 third-generation Starlink satellites before carrying out an in-space engine demonstration and a controlled re-entry.
The upper stage is expected to complete several orbits before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile.
Neither the booster nor the spacecraft is currently expected to be caught by the launch tower on this flight.
Why the mission matters
The test marks a change from Starship’s earlier flight profiles, which were designed around suborbital trajectories and controlled ocean impacts.
A successful orbital insertion would demonstrate that the vehicle can complete the most demanding part of its mission profile: accelerating a very large spacecraft to orbital velocity and keeping it on course long enough to release payloads.
It would also provide SpaceX with data on the vehicle’s upgraded propulsion, guidance, thermal protection and re-entry systems.
The company is developing Starship as a fully reusable launch system for large satellite deployments, crewed lunar missions and, eventually, missions beyond the Moon.
NASA has selected a version of Starship to support its Artemis lunar programme, although the vehicle must complete extensive testing before it can be used for human spaceflight.
What happens after launch
The most important early milestones will come during the first several minutes of flight.
- Launch and ascent from Starbase.
- Separation of the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage.
- Controlled return manoeuvres by the booster.
- Orbital insertion by the upper stage.
- Deployment of the 26 Starlink V3 satellites.
- Re-entry and splashdown of both vehicle stages in their designated ocean areas.
A failure at any stage would still provide SpaceX with test data, but reaching orbit and deploying the satellites would represent a significant technical milestone for the programme.
The mission follows a series of iterative Starship tests in which the company has used flight data to modify engines, avionics, heat-shield systems, flight software and landing procedures.
Regulatory approval and launch risks
The Federal Aviation Administration issued licence authorization for the Starship-Super Heavy Flight 14 launch and re-entry operations on September 26, according to an agency statement reported on September 27.
The licence does not guarantee that the vehicle will launch on schedule, since SpaceX must still satisfy operational, environmental and public-safety requirements during the countdown.
Starship launches also require coordination with airspace and maritime authorities because the planned flight path and splashdown zones extend far beyond the Texas launch site.
Weather or a technical issue could move the attempt to a later date.
If the September 28 attempt is delayed, SpaceX would be expected to announce a revised target through its launch updates and mission schedule.
How to follow SpaceX Starship Flight 14
SpaceX is expected to provide live coverage through its official website and social-media channels around the opening of the launch window.
Viewers should note that the listed time marks the beginning of the window, not a guaranteed liftoff time.
The company may hold the countdown within the window or stand down before launch if conditions are not acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SpaceX Starship Flight 14 scheduled to launch?
The launch window is scheduled to open on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 8:15 a.m. Eastern time and last 75 minutes.
Where will Starship Flight 14 launch from?
The mission is scheduled to launch from Pad 2 at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in southern Texas.
What is different about Starship Flight 14?
It is planned as the first Starship mission to attempt orbital insertion and deploy operational satellites.
What payload will Starship Flight 14 carry?
SpaceX plans to deploy 26 third-generation Starlink satellites during the mission.
Will SpaceX catch Starship or Super Heavy on Flight 14?
No. The current mission plan calls for the booster and upper stage to splash down in designated ocean areas rather than return for tower catches.
Fact-Checked: Key launch timing, mission status and regulatory details were checked against SpaceX’s official launch schedule and Federal Aviation Administration information.
Disclaimer: Launch schedules and mission plans can change because of weather, technical issues, range restrictions or regulatory requirements.