SpaceX prepares 14th Starship test flight to attempt first orbital mission

SpaceX is preparing to conduct the 14th test flight of its Starship rocket from the Starbase facility in Texas. The mission marks the private space company's first attempt to send the vehicle into Earth orbit. The launch window is scheduled for 7:15 am local central time (1:15 pm in the United Kingdom).

During the flight, the spacecraft is planned to enter orbit, deploy 26 Starlink internet satellites, and return to Earth. The test is part of SpaceX's broader development plans to support NASA missions to return to the Moon and eventually travel to Mars.