SpaceX has initiated a new venture named Starfall, with its first launch taking place on June 23, 2026, at 12:53 PM Italian time. The project’s objective is to create a capsule with a dual purpose: producing materials in orbit and swiftly transporting cargo across Earth. Until the launch date, SpaceX had remained largely silent about this initiative, with most details emerging from analyses published by the FAA.
We understand that Starfall is a capsule measuring 3.1 meters in width and just under 1 meter in height, equipped with a heat shield and parachute. It features an attitude control system but notably lacks a propulsion system for deorbiting. Consequently, Starfall must be directly inserted into a low Earth orbit, from which it will re-enter by leveraging the gradual deceleration caused by atmospheric drag. The June 23rd event served as a test flight to demonstrate the capsule’s capabilities.
For SpaceX, this marked the 75th launch of 2026, utilizing the first stage with serial number B1078 on its twenty-ninth flight. Approximately 8 minutes and 50 seconds after liftoff, the B1078 successfully landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall Of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX voluntarily ended its live broadcast immediately after the Falcon 9 first stage’s return, without showcasing the capsule.
The First Starfall Mission
The profile of Starfall’s initial demonstration mission is known to us primarily through advisories issued by the FAA. During the launch broadcast, SpaceX provided no specific information regarding this capsule, concentrating instead on outlining the overall mission objectives.
With this test flight, SpaceX aims to gather data on the capsule’s performance, from its attitude control systems to its re-entry behavior. Similar to the Dragon capsule, Starfall’s recovery will occur at sea, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. For this inaugural mission, Starfall is scheduled to remain in orbit for several hours, completing multiple revolutions around the Earth. The capsule will remain attached to the Falcon 9’s second stage.
Confirmation of this operational approach was observed by examining the second stage, as SpaceX had applied a special thermal protection to its RP-1 (kerosene) tank. This is a gray covering designed to prevent the kerosene from cooling down excessively. SpaceX typically employs this when the second stage is intended to remain in orbit for extended periods before one or more engine firings. It will therefore be the second stage that guides Starfall onto a re-entry trajectory towards Earth. The capsule will subsequently be recovered by a vessel for analysis.
With Starfall, SpaceX intends to enter the burgeoning field of in-orbit material manufacturing, as stated in documents released in anticipation of its stock market listing. Once Starship becomes operational, SpaceX plans to launch numerous Starfall capsules using this new vehicle, employing a specialized adapter capable of carrying four at a time.
