SpaceX Starship Flight 14: What Pilots and Space Enthusiasts Need to Know

Spacecraft’s 14th test mission expected to be first to reach orbital altitude.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Onboard cameras capture Flight 13 of Starship in July. The upcoming Flight 14 could be the rocket’s first trip to orbit. [Credit: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's Starship Flight 14, scheduled for September 22, is the rocket's first orbital test flight, aiming for a Pacific Ocean splashdown after previous suborbital missions.
The launch will result in significant and expanded airspace restrictions (AHAs and potential DRAs), requiring pilots to meticulously check NOTAMs due to concerns about the adequacy of current warning systems for widespread disruption.
Key objectives for the mission include achieving approximately six orbits, deploying 26 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, and executing a controlled deorbit and splashdown, marking a crucial step towards Starship's full reusability.

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SpaceX on Tuesday announced that the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket will launch as soon as September 22, bringing with it more airspace restrictions for pilots and excitement for space enthusiasts.

Flight 14 of Starship—which stands about 400 feet tall when stacked on its Super Heavy booster—will be a big one for SpaceX. The company said it will attempt the ship’s first orbital test flight, whereas the previous 13 missions have all been suborbital. Also unlike previous missions, Starship is intended to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, likely requiring different aircraft hazard areas (AHAs) than prior flights.