SpaceX released Go For Orbit on Nov. 6, a 21-minute film revisiting Starship’s first mission to reach orbit. It covers IFT-14, which launched from Starbase on Sept. 28, 2026, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites and ended with Starship performing its first deorbit burn before splashing down in the Pacific.
The film arrives just ahead of SpaceX’s next major recovery test. IFT-14 demonstrated that Starship could reach orbit, deploy a working payload and safely return to Earth. On IFT-15, SpaceX will attempt the next step toward full recovery by bringing both the ship and booster back to Mechazilla for a catch.
The Decision to Go for Orbit
Before IFT-14, Starship followed suborbital trajectories that naturally brought it back into the atmosphere. IFT-14 initially followed a similar profile but required an additional engine burn to enter orbit. Before authorizing the maneuver, the team needed to be confident that the ship could also perform the subsequent deorbit burn and return safely to Earth.
Once in orbit, Starship deployed all 26 satellites. SpaceX says it established contact with every satellite following deployment. The team then faced another decision: how long to keep the spacecraft in orbit. In the official Flight 14 recap, SpaceX said controllers shortened the coast as a precaution following an engine issue during ascent. They also selected a landing zone in the northern Pacific that had already been cleared for the mission.
Starship successfully restarted one sea-level Raptor to begin its deorbit burn. Following reentry, it ignited all three sea-level engines to flip upright for the landing burn before splashing down on target. We covered the significance of the milestone in our look at Starship’s first trip to orbit.
Flight 15 Attempts a Ship Catch
When Musk shared the film, he also highlighted SpaceX’s plan to catch both Super Heavy and Starship on the upcoming IFT-15. The booster will return to Starbase just minutes after launch, while the ship will deploy another batch of Starlink V3 satellites before attempting its first return to the launch tower after more than 22 hours in space.
SpaceX is targeting Nov. 13 for IFT-15, pending regulatory approval. You can follow the mission and upcoming milestones in our Starship flight tracker.
