SpaceX is preparing for the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket, with the company planning to attempt to place the vehicle’s upper stage into Earth orbit for the first time. 

The launch is scheduled for September 22, with a 75 minute launch window beginning at 7:15 a.m. Central Time.

During the mission, SpaceX plans to deploy 26 third generation Starlink satellites, marking the first planned revenue generating Starship mission for the company’s launch division. 

The satellites are part of SpaceX’s expanding internet network, which is expected to eventually include thousands of spacecraft.

Achieving orbit would represent a major milestone in SpaceX’s long term effort to make Starship a fully reusable launch system.

The company has invested billions of dollars in the program and intends to eventually rely on Starship for missions currently handled by its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. 

However, SpaceX has said Starship must demonstrate reliable launches, returns and rapid reuse before that transition can take place.

The upcoming flight will focus primarily on testing the upper stage’s ability to reach orbit. 

SpaceX will not attempt to catch either the Starship upper stage or the Super Heavy booster during the mission.

The company has also made additional hardware, software and heat shield modifications following problems experienced during the previous flight in July.

Source: TechCrunch