SpaceX Starship rocket flight ends in massive fireball — but still gives internet users massive win as it delivers Starlink satellites

SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket erupted into flames as it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, prematurely ending its first successful flight into orbit.. The rocket soared into space early Monday but had to cut its scheduled 10-hour flight around the globe short to ensure safety, the company said.

The rocket splashed down just north of Hawaii three hours into its flight, with Starship tipping over and getting engulfed in flames in a dramatic end to the mission. SpaceX’s historic launch nearly failed after one of its six engines shut down close to lift off, with flight controllers moving ahead with blast-off as all other equipment was working fine.

5 The SpaceX Starship makes a fiery landing after lifting

5 The SpaceX Starship makes a fiery landing after lifting off for its 14th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, on Monday, Sept. SpaceX 5 The SpaceX Starship makes a fiery landing after lifting off for its 14th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas.

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Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on the first orbital flight of Starship! pic.twitter.com/urjmiwnvNl — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2026 5 The SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy v3 Booster lift off on its 14th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. REUTERS The short space flight also saw the company deploy 26 of its most advanced Starlink satellites yet, with the delivery of each satellite caught on camera.

The cargo was the new Starlink V3 satellites, which together would add 26 terabits per second to the world’s total internet bandwidth, or a 1% bump in total capacity. 5 SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 is seen in orbit on Sept.

SpaceX NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated SpaceX on the launch as the space agency is working with the company to return to the moon in the coming years. “Gorgeous launch, getting Ship to orbit and managing every step in a safe, responsible, and especially inspirational way,” Isaacman wrote on X.

SpaceX NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated SpaceX on the launch

Monday’s flight was Starship’s 14th full-scale launch out of SpaceX’s Texas base, with the company initially aiming to have the rocket circle the globe six times. The 400-foot Starship rocket the tallest rocket ever flow, and can carry up to 220,000 lbs. of cargo — nearly twice the earlier Falcon Heavy rocket.

5 The SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy v3 Booster lift off on its 14th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, Monday, Sept. REUTERS SpaceX founder Elon Musk hopes the rocket, with its reusable components, will eventually be able to complete trips to space and successfully return to the Texas Starbase without fear of any debris falling on populated areas.

The company is currently aiming to have Starship certified for orbital flight, a critical step needed for NASA’s Artemis III mission to the moon — which is scheduled for as soon as next summer. Musk also has ambitions of making his rocket the first to carry human settlers to Mars.

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Source transparency: Call Out News independently prepared this report from New York Post. It is not a reproduction of any source report.