SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 deployed Starlink satellites, then lost the booster on landing burn.
Why it matters: Starship is central to SpaceX’s satellite internet plans and its next-generation launch ambitions. Booster recovery problems could slow reuse milestones and affect confidence in the program.
- SpaceX flew Starship Flight 13 on July 24 from Starbase, Texas.
- The mission was the second Starship V3 flight and the 13th Starship test overall, according to AP.
- SpaceX deployed 20 Starlink satellites, including its first third-generation Starlinks.
- The Super Heavy booster did not complete its landing burn and impacted the Gulf of Mexico.
SpaceX said Flight 13 marked progress for Starship even though the Super Heavy booster failed on the return leg. On the company’s mission page, SpaceX said the booster was intended to complete ascent, stage separation, boostback and landing burn during the test flight from Starbase, Texas.
AP reported that the July 24 launch was the 13th Starship test and the second flight of the Starship V3 version. The mission also deployed 20 Starlink satellites, including SpaceX’s first third-generation Starlinks.
SpaceX said all booster engines fired at liftoff, but not enough relit for the landing burn, and the Super Heavy booster impacted the Gulf of Mexico. TechCrunch also reported that the booster missed recovery during the landing phase.
Reuters reported that the flight was designed to demonstrate satellite deployment and laser communications links. The news service also said the FAA closed its review of a previous booster return failure on July 13, clearing the way for this test flight.
NASA monitored the launch because Starship remains a key part of the agency’s plan to use the vehicle as a lunar lander for Artemis crews. Reuters and AP both said the mission carried major implications for those plans.
By the numbers
- 20 - Starlink satellites deployed on the flight
- 13 - the Starship test number for Flight 13
- 2 - the mission was Starship V3’s second flight
Yes, but: SpaceX still has to show that it can reliably recover and reuse the Super Heavy booster.