Delivered · Late
Delivered · Late
Starship reaches orbit
“This is going to sound totally nuts, but I think we want to try to reach orbit in less than six months.”
goalposts: 2020 → 2022 · moved 1×
Elon Musk promised Starship Mk1 test flights within one to two months by Nov 28, 2019. The deadline passed and it didn't happen.
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“Musk said the company would start test flights of its next-generation Starship vehicle in as soon as one to two months.”
— as reported (paraphrase) · Sep 28, 2019 · SpaceNews, Sep 29 2019: Musk at the Sept. 28 Starship update ↗
What actually happened
Starship Mk1 never flew. Its top bulkhead blew off during a pressure test on Nov 20 2019 and SpaceX retired the prototype. The first high-altitude Starship flight (SN8) came on Dec 9 2020. Spaceflight Now, Nov 20 2019: Starship Mk1 ruptures in cryogenic test ↗
The Progression
Sep 28, 2019
The promise: “Musk said the company would start test flights of its next-generation Starship vehicle in as soon as one to two months.” · SpaceNews, Sep 29 2019: Musk at the Sept. 28 Starship update ↗
Nov 28, 2019
Deadline passed. Starship Mk1 never flew. Its top bulkhead blew off during a pressure test on Nov 20 2019 and SpaceX retired the prototype. The first high-altitude Starship flight (SN8) came on Dec 9 2020. Spaceflight Now, Nov 20 2019: Starship Mk1 ruptures in cryogenic test ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Missed · 2,510 days past due. Never happened.
At the September 2019 Starship update Elon Musk said Mk1 would start test flights to about 20 km in one to two months. Mk1 burst in a ground test in November and never flew.
Receipts
LAST CHECKED 2026-10-11SpaceX’s record
Delivered
23
62% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
14
Deadline passed, still no-show.
More Starship and SpaceX rocket predictions
- Starship orbital refueling: demo promised by end of 2026Pending
- How many Starships in 2026? Elon says ~10 morePending
- Starship ship catch by the tower: moved 2 times so farPending
- Starship reflight: first reused ship by Mar 31, 2027?Pending
- Starship daily flights: once a day by Aug 4, 2027?Pending
- Starship landing and reuse: promised 2023, moved 3 timesPending
- When will Starship carry humans? Elon says by end of 2027Pending
- Starship rapid reusability: full reflight by end of 2027?Pending
- SpaceX: 20 Starships to Mars in 2028? (still pending)Pending
- Starship hourly flights: Elon says within 2–3 yearsPending
- Starship launches per day: Elon says 30+ by end of 2030Pending
- SpaceX Louisiana: Elon's plan for 12+ Starship towersPending
Read next
Same source event
Delivered · LateSame source event
Pending
Pending
Starship fully reusable
“The critical breakthrough that's necessary is a rapidly reusable orbital rocket. This is basically the Holy…”
goalposts: 2023 → 2025 → 2026 → 2027 · moved 3×
Also SpaceX, resolves soonest
Pending
Pending
SpaceX Fable/GPT-6-level model in 2–3 months
“I am cautiously optimistic that SpaceX will have a Fable/GPT-6 level model in 2 to 3 months”
← Starship update presentation in 'two weeks or so' (July 2019)
Superchargers cover North America and Europe by end of 2014 →
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