SpaceX Prepares Starship Rocket for First Orbital Test Flight

SpaceX is preparing to launch the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, marking its first attempt to enter Earth orbit. The 75-minute launch window opens at 8:15 a.m. ET on Monday from Starbase, Texas, following FAA authorization granted on September 26. The flight profile aims to complete around six orbits across a 10-hour operational window and deploy 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Valued at roughly $2 trillion following its June initial public offering, SpaceX relies on Starship to scale its Starlink division and support NASA Artemis lunar landing missions.