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SpaceX limits Starship Flight 14 orbit time after ascent engine issue

By The Likely · Updated Oct 3, 7:04 AM ET · Drawn from 6 sources · Written by AI, checked against sources

SpaceX shortened Starship Flight 14's time in orbit as a precaution after an engine shut down early during ascent. The vehicle deployed 26 satellites and splashed down in the northern Pacific Ocean roughly three hours after launch.

How we got here

  1. Starship lifted off from Starbase, Texas, on its thirteenth flight test. Spacex
  2. The FAA authorized license operations for the launch and reentry of Starship-Super Heavy Flight 14. Aviationweek
  3. Planning material provisionally scheduled Flight 15, though it remained unconfirmed as an official SpaceX launch date. Wikipedia

What's likely next

  1. SpaceX would need a modification to the FAA authorization for Flight 15 and later flights; the cited order authorized Flight 14 only.
  2. SpaceX launches Starship for the 15th timeLong shot2%
  3. SpaceX launches Starship for the 15th timeVery unlikely12%▼ from 38% yesterday
  4. SpaceX launches Starship for the 15th timeAlmost certain96%

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