The National Post reports in its Tuesday edition that SpaceX's Starship megarocket reached orbit for the first time and released 26 satellites before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, reaching a major milestone for the developmental spacecraft key to Elon Musk's audacious plans. An AFP dispatch to the Post says the black-and-silver behemoth, standing more than 120 metres tall, blasted off from SpaceX's Texas base early Monday with the aim of reaching orbit and spending 10 hours circling Earth. Following the successful separation and splashdown of the Super Heavy booster, the Starship upper stage reached orbit -- but only after some engine trouble. "Starship is orbital," a member of the launch crew said on a livestream, with cheers ringing out among SpaceX staff. After about only three hours into the flight, SpaceX engineers made the decision to de-orbit the spacecraft into the Pacific Ocean. The livestream showed the upright upper stage gliding back down through the atmosphere before the engines relit, slowing its descent into the water. After touching down vertically, the Starship appeared to sink onto its side and was engulfed by a large explosion. Mr. Musk wants Starship to one day be rapidly reusable.