Story preview

SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Orbit for the First Time, but Returns to Earth Early

The New York Times

About this story

Published: Sep 28, 2026, 4:01 AM UTC

How other outlets describe it

From satellite deployment to a dramatic fiery finish, catch all the chaotic launch action in this full supercut recap.

MashableSpaceX Starship Flight 14 reaches Earth's orbit and explodes in the Pacific

The biggest rocket ever built launched from Spaceport in South Texas before entering Earth’s orbit shortly after. Though the mission ended with a thud, it does mark a significant step for commercial…

Texas StandardSpaceX’s Starship launches from South Texas, returns to Earth with a thud

Topics in this story

#spacex #starship #orbit #time #returns

Continue reading on the publisher site for the full article.

Read on publisher →The New York Times

News Atlas is free and independent. If it’s useful to you, you can support it with a coffee. ☕ Buy me a coffee

At a glance

Outlets covering it

in the last 3 days

First reported

39 hr. ago

11 outlets since

Countries

Coverage

Tone

Who else is covering this

12 other outlets reported this story in the last 3 days.

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 reaches Earth's orbit and explodes in the PacificMashable7 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship launches from South Texas, returns to Earth with a thudTexas Standard12 hr. ago
SpaceX Starship reaches orbit, returns to Earth in water landingHouston Chronicle26 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship Makes Fiery Splashdown in Pacific Ocean After Early Return from Orbit MissionPeople.com6 hr. ago
Starship returns to Earth; rocket splashes down north of Hawaii after three-hour flightSpaceflight Now22 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Orbit for the First Time, but Returns to Earth EarlyThe New York TimesUnited States39 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship on Monday launched into orbit for the first time, but had to return to Earth early due to engine problems. Read more: https://nyti.ms/4ynmIWVfacebook.com20 hr. ago
SpaceX’s supersized Starship launches into orbit for the first time but flight ends earlyAP NewsUnited States22 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship launches on first orbital mission from TexasNPRUnited States30 hr. ago
SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit for the first time, then returns early and blows up in a fiery explosionlivescience.com25 hr. ago
SpaceX’s Starship returns early from first Earth orbit attempt | WORLDwng.org26 hr. ago
SpaceX's starship megarocket reaches Earth's orbit for the first time and explodes during landingEl Mundo America9 hr. ago

Who else is covering this

Where in the world it’s covered

Coverage over time

Tone of the coverage

About the publisher

The New York Times

Visit The New York Times ↗

Latest from The New York Times

- Google NewsGoogle News19 hr. ago
Google NewsGoogle News13 hr. ago
Home pageGoogle News24 hr. ago
Google NewsGoogle News4 hr. ago
- Google NewsGoogle News3 hr. ago

SpaceX’s Starship Makes It to Orbit for the First Time, but Returns to Earth Early

About this story

How other outlets describe it

At a glance

Who else is covering this

Who else is covering this

Where in the world it’s covered

Coverage over time

Tone of the coverage

About the publisher

Latest from The New York Times

About the publisher

Related topics

About the publisher

Latest from The New York Times

Who else is covering this

How other outlets describe it