Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Starship Reaches Orbit on First Try, but Engine Issues Cut Test Flight Short

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, successfully reached Earth orbit during its inaugural test flight launched from Texas. However, engine problems led to an early return to the planet.

The Starship spacecraft completed two orbits before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean approximately three hours after launch, having deployed 26 Starlink satellites. This achievement is a significant milestone for SpaceX, particularly for its role in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon.

During the flight, one of the Super Heavy booster's 33 engines shut down shortly after liftoff, and another failed to ignite during a return maneuver. The Starship upper stage also experienced an engine failure in orbit, prompting engineers to bring the spacecraft back sooner than the planned ten-hour mission.

Experts are currently assessing whether the engine issues were isolated incidents or indicative of a broader design flaw. This determination will be crucial in understanding the impact on SpaceX's overall progress.

Despite the early termination and engine problems, the successful orbital insertion is seen as a vital step. It demonstrates a foundational capability required for lunar missions, though significant work remains before Starship is ready for the Artemis 3 mission, slated for 2027.

Starship is a 407-foot-tall reusable system comprising the Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster. SpaceX is developing a version for its human landing system for NASA's lunar missions, competing with Blue Origin.

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