SpaceX’s Starship has reached orbit for the first time. The giant rocket flew on its 14th test flight from Texas on September 28.

The uncrewed vehicle lifted off at 7:46 a.m. local time from the Starbase complex. It stands more than 120 metres tall when fully stacked.

Shortly after the upper stage separated, it lost one of its six Raptor engines. The mission team briefly called off the orbit attempt, then decided to push on.

Starship reached orbit and deployed 26 new Starlink internet satellites. It was the first revenue-generating mission for the rocket, which is still in development.

SpaceX had planned a 10-hour flight with six orbits. Instead, engineers brought the ship down after about three hours. It splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

All 13 previous test flights since 2023 had stayed below orbit. The programme has cost more than 15 billion dollars so far. Starship is key to NASA’s future moon missions and SpaceX’s Mars plans.