SpaceX's Starship completes wet dress rehearsal ahead of Flight 14

SpaceX has completed a key rehearsal ahead of Starship Flight 14, bringing the world's most powerful rocket closer to its first attempt to reach orbit.

The company completed a wet dress rehearsal on September 24, loading propellants into the massive vehicle and running through launch-day procedures without firing its engines.

The test is designed to check the rocket, launch pad and ground systems before the real countdown. SpaceX confirmed the rehearsal was completed in a social media post.Launch rehearsal complete ahead of Starship Flight 14 pic.twitter.com/h5LBYyBqi4— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 24, 2026

Flight 14 is currently targeted for Monday, September 28, from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas, US. The 75-minute launch window is scheduled to open at 5:45 pm IST.

Starship has flown 13 integrated test flights since its first launch in 2023, but none has entered Earth orbit.

Flight 14 is designed to change that. A top view of SpaceX's Starship at the launch pad. (Photo: SpaceX)

The launch will send Starship's upper stage into orbit, where it is planned to make about six trips around Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean west of Chile.

SpaceX also plans to deploy 26 next-generation Starlink satellites, giving the company its first chance to test these satellites from an orbital Starship mission.

The Super Heavy booster, meanwhile, is expected to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico.

The mission was originally targeted for September 22 but was pushed back by six days without any reason shared by SpaceX. Starship is seen on launch pad at the SpaceX facility. (Photo: SpaceX) WHAT EXACTLY IS STARSHIP?

Starship is SpaceX's fully reusable two-part rocket system.

The lower section is Super Heavy, which provides the enormous thrust needed to leave Earth. The upper section, also called Starship or Ship, is designed to carry people and cargo and eventually return to Earth.

Together, the vehicle stands about 124 metres tall. SpaceX's long-term goal is to recover and reuse both parts, making spaceflight more frequent and potentially less expensive.

SpaceX's ambitions, however, go farther beyond Earth orbit. A wide view of SpaceX's Starship on the launch pad. (Photo: SpaceX)

Nasa is currently developing a Starship-based Human Landing System with SpaceX for its Artemis programme.

The lunar version is intended to carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon's surface and back and, as Nasa has said, Starship will also be part of the Artemis-III and Artemis-IV missions.

Flight 14, therefore, is more than another test.

It's a crucial step in finding out whether Starship can perform the orbital flight, satellite deployment and controlled return that SpaceX needs as it develops the system for future missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.- Ends