SpaceX achieved its first orbital Starship flight on Flight 14 in late September 2026, deploying Starlink satellites before a controlled reentry, while recovering and inspecting Ship 40 from Flight 13 provides critical data on heat shields and engines. Docking two Starships for propellant transfer remains a key unproven milestone tied to NASA’s Artemis HLS requirements and Elon Musk’s stated 2026 target, but recent tests have focused on orbit insertion, booster catches, and reusability rather than rendezvous. Flight 15, targeted for early November, may attempt the first ship catch but faces technical and regulatory hurdles before complex in-orbit mating can occur. Trader consensus reflects steady progress yet realistic timelines for full demonstrations.