Starship Prepares for First Orbital Flight on 24 September 2026
SpaceX's Starship prepares for its first orbital flight, with Ship 41 and Booster 21 undergoing key pre-flight tests. JUICE mission to swing by Earth on 28 September.
| Active satellites | 15,723 |
| Starlink active | 9,888 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,455 |
| Active close approaches | 23 |
| People in space | 10 |
SpaceX is on the brink of a landmark achievement as it prepares for the first orbital flight of its Starship vehicle. Ship 41 and Booster 21 have been stacked at the launch site, marking a significant step in the test phase. This mission aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the fully reusable spacecraft designed for deep space missions, including eventual Mars colonisation. As of 24 September 2026, 15,723 active satellites are in orbit, according to Orbital Radar's live catalogue.
JUICE Mission Earth Flyby
The European Space Agency's JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) mission is set to perform an Earth flyby on 28 September 2026. This manoeuvre will provide the spacecraft with a gravitational assist, propelling it towards its ultimate destination, Jupiter. The mission aims to study the gas giant's icy moons, which are believed to harbour subsurface oceans. The flyby is a critical step in the mission's long journey, which will culminate in the exploration of Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.
Space Environment and Anomalies
The space environment remains stable with a Kp index of 0, indicating minimal geomagnetic activity. However, the density of solar wind is slightly elevated, marked as 'yellow' by Orbital Radar's space weather metrics. In terms of orbital safety, 23 close approaches are currently being monitored, including a near pass between NOAA 16 debris and PAKTES 1A, with a minimum distance of approximately 1.77 km. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining satellite operations and avoiding potential collisions.
What to Watch
Looking ahead, the JUICE mission's Earth flyby on 28 September is a notable event for space enthusiasts. Additionally, SpaceX's Starship is scheduled for its first orbital flight test, a significant milestone in space exploration. For those interested in satellite tracking, Orbital Radar's pass predictor offers insights into upcoming visible passes of various satellites, including the Starlink constellation, which currently has 9,888 operational satellites.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SpaceX's Starship first orbital flight?
What is the JUICE mission Earth flyby?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). Starship Prepares for First Orbital Flight on 24 September 2026. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-24"Starship Prepares for First Orbital Flight on 24 September 2026." Orbital Radar, 24 September 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-24.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_09_24,
title = {Starship Prepares for First Orbital Flight on 24 September 2026},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-24}}
}
