SpaceX completed Starship’s first orbital flight with Flight 14 on September 28, 2026, successfully deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites before an early reentry. This milestone cleared the path for Flight 15, the second operational mission using Block 3 Booster 22 and Ship 42 from Starbase’s Orbital Launch Pad 2. Vehicle integration and Raptor engine work continue, with static-fire campaigns expected in the coming weeks and a provisional launch window no earlier than mid-to-late October 2026. Key objectives include sustained orbital operations and the first attempted tower catch of the upper stage, building on prior booster recovery progress. Regulatory filings through March 2027 support extended testing, while competitive pressure from NASA Artemis timelines and Starlink deployment goals drives the rapid cadence.