SpaceX completes Starship launch rehearsal ahead of first orbital flight

SpaceX has successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal for Starship ahead of the vehicle's 14th test flight. "Launch rehearsal complete ahead of Starship Flight 14," the company announced on X.

During a wet dress rehearsal, the rocket goes through a full launch simulation. It is loaded with liquid propellants and powered on before final checks of its fuel lines, software and communications with the ground team. The launch team also runs the full countdown sequence, demonstrates procedures for scrubbing a launch in poor weather and then drains the fuel to simulate offload procedures. In other words, the rocket goes through the entire launch sequence without actually lifting off.

The successful rehearsal keeps Starship on track for its 14th test flight, scheduled for September 28 with a 75-minute launch window opening at 8:15AM Eastern Time.

First orbital flight

Flight 14 will be the vehicle's first orbital flight after multiple suborbital tests. According to the plan, Starship will orbit the planet six times over the course of 10 hours before re-entering the atmosphere and crashing into the ocean.

26 Starlink V3 satellites

Starship will also ferry 26 Starlink V3 satellites to orbit. They will be the first next-generation models to be added to SpaceX's satellite internet constellation.

Where to watch

The launch will be streamed on X on September 28. If everything goes according to plan, the flight will become a major milestone for the vehicle.