Starship Reaches Orbit, Deploys Starlink V3

SpaceX's Starship reached orbital velocity for the first time on its 14th test flight from South Texas, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites. One of six Raptor engines shut down during ascent, but controllers proceeded after confirming backup deorbit hardware. The flight was cut to about three hours, splashing down near Hawaii, moving the vehicle closer to operational satellite launches and NASA lunar missions.