SpaceX Targets an Orbital Starship Flight with a Next-Gen Vehicle in 2026

SpaceX is targeting an orbital flight of its next-generation Starship vehicle by 2026, marking a critical step in the spacecraft’s development. Orbital missions will provide essential data on Starship’s heat shield performance during atmospheric reentry and enable tests of in-orbit refueling, a capability vital for future Mars missions. The company recently completed the 10th full-scale test flight of the combined Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage on August 26, launching from Starbase, Texas. The flight successfully demonstrated improved propulsion and propellant system reliability, overcoming issues from previous tests, and achieved a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean within three meters of the target. A key focus of the recent flight was testing metallic heat shield tiles as a potential alternative to the traditional ceramic tiles. SpaceX installed three metal tiles on the side of the vehicle to evaluate their durability and heat resistance. However, these metal tiles oxidized during reentry, turning a rusty orange color and proving less effective than ceramic