SpaceX has set 28 September as the new target date for the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, which will mark the vehicle's first orbital mission. The flight is significant because it will also be the first time SpaceX deploys next-generation Starlink V3 satellites into active service, a step the company says is essential to proving Starship's reusability and readiness for future operational flights. The launch, previously slated for 22 September, was pushed back without explanation and remains subject to regulatory approval.

During the roughly 10-hour test, Starship will reach an altitude of 171 miles and circle Earth six times, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites capable of 1 Tbps downlink and 160 Gbps uplink speeds, far exceeding the previous V2 generation. Unlike some earlier tests, the Super Heavy booster will not be caught by the launch tower and will instead splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, while the upper stage will ultimately crash into the Pacific Ocean near Chile after completing its mission. The launch window opens at 8:15am Eastern Time and will be streamed on SpaceX's X account.