Starship reaches orbit and deploys satellites, a key step toward replacing Falcon 9
Starship's first orbit and payload deployment are confirmed; whether launch costs and capacity limits change depends on reflight, landing and recovery.
Original event 2026-09-28
Starship entered orbit for the first time and deployed Starlink satellites before returning to Earth, a key step toward replacing Falcon 9.
According to Semafor, SpaceX's Starship reached orbit on September 28, a milestone the program had never achieved, then deployed Starlink satellites and returned to Earth. SpaceX's stock fell on the day.
Starship is slated to replace SpaceX's reusable workhorse, the Falcon 9, which has given the company a near-monopoly on satellite launches. Scientific American notes the rocket's economics depend on repeatedly completing orbit, deployment, reentry, pinpoint landings and smooth recoveries.
This flight confirmed orbit and deployment, and the report says the vehicle returned to Earth; pinpoint landings and recoveries are not addressed. Some investors remain wary of the company's AI and rocket ambitions and its $2 trillion valuation; one success does not establish reusable economics.