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SpaceX runs Flight 14 wet dress rehearsal ahead of first orbital attempt

By The Likely · Updated Sep 28, 5:24 PM ET · Drawn from 4 sources · Written by AI, checked against sources

SpaceX completed the Flight 14 wet dress rehearsal on September 24, 2026, loading Booster 21 and Ship 41 with propellant and running through the countdown. The test serves as a pre-launch milestone for Starship's planned first orbital flight.

Why it mattersOrbital Starship missions will enable delivery of Starlink V3 satellites and pave the way for tests including orbital propellant transfer.

Humans colonizing Mars by Jan 1, 2050Toss-up58%▲ from 20% a week ago

How we got here

  1. Elon Musk presented SpaceX's plans to make life multiplanetary and reach Mars. Spacex
  2. SpaceX announced that Flight 14 would start orbital missions, with future tests featuring orbital propellant transfer. Spacex
  3. SpaceX completed the Flight 14 wet dress rehearsal by loading propellant into Booster 21 and Ship 41 and running countdown tests. Space
  4. SpaceX targeted Flight 14 for launch from Starbase, Texas, within a designated morning window. Aviationweek

What's likely next

  1. SpaceX listed a long-duration flight test and an in-space propellant-transfer flight test as major Starship milestones targeted for 2026; their timing depends on how upcoming flights progress.
  2. Humans colonizing MarsToss-up58%▲ from 20% a week ago

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