SpaceX Targets July 23 Starship Flight 13 to Deploy 20 V3 Starlinks
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jul 23
SpaceX Targets July 23 Starship Flight 13 to Deploy 20 V3 Starlinks
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jul 23
Summary
A 90-minute launch window for Starship Flight 13 opens at 6:45 p.m. EDT from Starbase, Texas, marking the rocket’s 13th test flight and second mission of 2026.
The mission will deploy 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites while testing hardware and software changes after Flight 12, when Super Heavy suffered engine problems during its return.
Super Heavy is set to attempt a controlled Gulf splashdown about seven minutes after liftoff, while Ship targets the Indian Ocean roughly 65 minutes after launch rather than a tower catch.
Six of the 20 satellites carry cameras to inspect Ship’s heat-shield tiles, and SpaceX will also test load-sensing tiles under higher ascent pressure to support future recovery attempts.
The flight is a key step toward Starship V3’s planned operational role on NASA’s Artemis III and IV missions and SpaceX’s longer-term goal of deploying up to 100,000 V3 Starlinks.
Starship Flight 13, now set for launch on July 23, 2026, follows a recent abort caused by four Super Heavy booster engines failing to ignite, which led to an automatic shutdown of the launch sequence. In response, SpaceX quickly removed and replaced two Raptor engines and prepared for the rescheduled attempt. This mission is crucial for validating the Super Heavy booster’s engine ignition and overall reliability, especially after the recent issues. The successful execution of Flight 13 will demonstrate key technical improvements and is an important step for both SpaceX’s Starship development and its role in NASA’s Artemis lunar missions.