SpaceX is preparing for a sequence of three Starship missions, designated as Flights 14, 15, and 16. Flight 14 is intended to be the first orbital mission for the vehicle. Booster 21 and Ship 41 have completed a wet dress rehearsal at Starbase, during which the ship was loaded with 26 Starlink V3 satellites.
Regulatory approval for Flight 14 is currently pending, though a launch remains possible. According to flight planning documents from the CADENA air traffic management system, Flight 15 is scheduled no earlier than October 19, with Flight 16, designated as Starlink 30-1, targeted for no earlier than October 30.
Flight 15 is expected to focus on the return and potential catching of both vehicle stages. Flight 16 is planned as the first Starship launch from Launch Complex 39A in Florida. SpaceX recently conducted the first test of the top-deck water deluge system at the Florida launch site to support future operations.
The current schedule remains subject to change based on the performance of Flight 14, which must reach orbit and survive reentry to validate the program. SpaceX requires additional regulatory licenses for future missions, including those involving vehicle recovery and the activation of the Florida launch facility.
