SpaceX to attempt first Starship launch into Earth orbit

SpaceX is set to attempt putting its Starship rocket into Earth orbit for the first time, according to a report by France 24, in a launch planned for Monday from the company's facility in Texas.

The mission is designed as a 10-hour flight that would deploy 26 Starlink satellites, marking what SpaceX and industry observers describe as a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the massive launch vehicle, which the company has been testing over a series of previous flights.

According to the report, the success of Monday's launch attempt remains uncertain, as many of Starship's previous test flights have ended in failure. The vehicle, the largest and most powerful rocket SpaceX has built, has faced a range of technical challenges throughout its testing program.

A successful orbital deployment of the Starlink satellites would represent a notable step forward for the Starship program, which SpaceX has positioned as central to its long-term plans for both satellite deployment and future deep-space missions.

SpaceX has not indicated what contingency plans are in place should Monday's attempt fail, though the company has generally treated Starship test flights, including past failures, as sources of engineering data used to inform subsequent launch attempts.