SpaceX has officially set Thursday, July 16 as the target date for Starship Flight 13, marking the second test flight of its upgraded Version 3 vehicle and the first mission to carry operational Starlink V3 satellites.
The 90-minute launch window opens at 6:30 p.m. ET from Starbase in Texas. The mission will largely follow the same suborbital profile as Flight 12, but with a series of hardware and software improvements designed to address issues encountered during the previous test.
Starship’s thirteenth flight test is preparing to launch as early as Thursday, July 16 → https://t.co/Rp7VwBzpWx pic.twitter.com/jdpFlQUEpF
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 11, 2026
On the Super Heavy booster, SpaceX has updated the stage separation sequence, improved Raptor engine relight reliability, and refined engine monitoring systems after Flight 12’s boostback burn failed to complete as planned. The company has also introduced propulsion system changes aimed at improving engine reliability during ascent.
One of the biggest milestones for Flight 13 will be the debut of 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites. Unlike previous Starship test flights that carried mass simulators, these satellites are expected to deploy their solar arrays and antennas before attempting to communicate with a ground station in South Africa and the broader Starlink constellation using high-capacity laser links.
SpaceX also revealed that six of the satellites have been fitted with cameras to inspect Starship’s heat shield after re-entry.
“For the first time, Starship will carry V3 Starlink satellites to space, which aim to greatly expand the network’s capacity and user speeds.”
Beyond the satellite deployment, Flight 13 will test new heat shield tile designs, load-sensing tiles, a higher dynamic pressure ascent profile, and an in-space Raptor engine relight.
If successful, the mission will bring SpaceX another step closer to future orbital Starship flights and regular deployment of its next-generation Starlink network.
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