AI illustration: Starship orbital 2021
SpaceXSpace
Missed

Starship orbital 2021

“Now SpaceX expects its first orbital flight test won't happen until 2021.”
— as reported (paraphrase) · Oct 16, 2020 · Elon Musk - 2020 Mars Society Virtual Convention (The Mars Society official channel), interviewed by Robert Zubrin, Oct 16 2020 ↗
Video: Elon Musk - 2020 Mars Society Virtual Convention (The Mars Society official channel), interviewed by Robert Zubrin, Oct 16 2020
▶ WATCH HIM SAY IT — ELON MUSK - 2020 MARS SOCIETY VIRTUAL CONVENTION (THE MARS SOCIETY OFFICIAL CHANNEL), INTERVIEWED BY ROBERT ZUBRIN, OCT 16 2020

The Progression

Oct 16, 2020
The promise: “Now SpaceX expects its first orbital flight test won't happen until 2021.” · Elon Musk - 2020 Mars Society Virtual Convention (The Mars Society official channel), interviewed by Robert Zubrin, Oct 16 2020 ↗
2021
Timeline pushed to 2021.
Goalpost #1
Dec 31, 2021
Deadline passed.
Today · Jun 12, 2026
Status: Missed · 1,624 days past due. Never happened.

Speaking at the Mars Society's virtual convention in October 2020, Musk said SpaceX expected Starship's first orbital flight test in 2021 — already a slip from an earlier March 2020 target. The flight would have been the vehicle's first trip to orbit. The year ended without Starship attempting an orbital launch, and the prediction was missed.

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LAST CHECKED 2026-06-11

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