SpaceX launches Starship on extended orbital test
SpaceX plans the 14th test launch of Starship on the 22nd from its Starbase facility in Texas, with liftoff scheduled at 7:15 a.m. local time. The 124-meter vehicle will attempt an extended orbital flight of six orbits at about 275 km altitude, lasting roughly 9 hours 50 minutes, and will attempt to deploy 26 Starlink satellites for the first operational integration. Past tests ended in early splashdowns and short flights; this mission moves the splashdown zone to the Pacific near Chile. Success could advance Starship commercialization and its role as an orbital refueling station for deep-space missions.
Starship will attempt six orbits and deploy 26 Starlink satellites.
Context
SpaceX has flown many Starship tests before. Past tests ended with early splashdowns and short flights. If this longer orbital test succeeds, Starship could serve as an orbital refueling station and deploy Starlink satellites.
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