SpaceX Starship reaches orbit and deploys advanced Starlink satellites

SpaceX's Starship rocket achieved orbit for the first time Monday, launching from Texas and deploying 26 new-generation Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. The upper stage overcame an early engine failure, with controllers opting to continue the mission. While SpaceX initially aimed for a ten-hour flight and six orbits, the mission was shortened to a three-hour flight, ending with Starship's splashdown north of Hawaii.

• Starship launched from Texas and reached Earth orbit
• One of Starship's six Raptor engines failed early in flight
• Flight plan was cut from six Earth orbits to one
• 26 next-gen Starlink satellites were deployed from orbit
• Starship splashed down north of Hawaii after about three hours