SpaceX targets Sept. 22, 2026 for Starship Flight 14

SpaceX is targeting Sept. 22, 2026 for Starship’s 14th test flight. The mission is planned as the vehicle’s first attempt to reach genuine Earth orbit, though it remains subject to regulatory approval.

If flown as outlined, the upper stage would spend about 10 hours in space, complete six orbits, and make a Pacific Ocean splashdown west of Chile. No tower catch attempt is planned for this flight.

SpaceX has targeted 2026-09-22 for Starship’s 14th test flight, also described as the 14th Starship mission.

Flight 14 is identified as Starship’s first genuine Earth orbit attempt, and the planned orbit is Earth orbit.

The upper stage is expected to complete six orbits over roughly 10 hours.

The mission profile lists a landing in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile, and there is no tower catch attempt planned.

The flight is still pending regulatory approval.

A separate mission figure lists 75 minutes for the 14th Starship mission.

For readers tracking lunar-sector launch capability, Flight 14 is notable because it is framed as Starship’s first real bid for Earth orbit rather than a shorter-duration test profile.

The combination of six orbits and about 10 hours in space would make this a longer on-orbit demonstration than a brief flight, offering a clearer measure of how Starship performs in sustained orbital operations.

The lack of a tower catch attempt and the planned ocean landing show that this mission is centered on reaching orbit and completing the flight profile, while regulatory approval remains a gating factor.

SpaceX is the company behind Starship.

The next stated milestone is the targeted launch of Flight 14 on 2026-09-22, pending regulatory approval.