# SpaceX Starship reaches orbit and deploys Starlink satellites, but test ends early

https://mins.news/en/item/82823

- CGTN, 2026-09-28 13:55 UTC
- Science
- Original: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-09-28/news-1QOtSNASqPe/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time and deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, but its test flight ended after about three hours when an engine shut down unexpectedly during ascent. The spacecraft completed two orbits instead of the planned six, while the booster splashed down off Texas.

## Related coverage

- [SpaceX Starship mission ends in a ball of flames](https://mins.news/en/item/77844) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-28
- [SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit and deploys first next-generation Starlinks](https://mins.news/en/item/77752) — Ars Technica, 2026-09-28
- [SpaceX’s Starship mission ends in fiery splashdown](https://mins.news/en/video/77562) — Reuters, 2026-09-28
- [SpaceX’s Starship rocket reaches orbit for the first time](https://mins.news/en/item/77325) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-28
