SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its 13th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on July 24, 2026. The mission successfully deployed 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites and achieved the first-ever intact splashdown of the spacecraft in the Indian Ocean, despite a harder-than-planned landing for the Super Heavy booster.
The flight, which employees dubbed lucky number 13
, served as the second test for the revamped Version 3 (V3) design. While the mission faced early setbacks—including a post-ignition abort on July 16 and a weather delay caused by Tropical Storm Bertha on July 23—it ultimately provided the company with critical data on heatshield durability and satellite deployment.
Starship V3 Performance and the Indian Ocean Splashdown
The most significant milestone of Flight 13 was the recovery of the Starship upper stage. For the first time, the spacecraft came to rest intact in the Indian Ocean, allowing SpaceX to obtain views of an intact heatshield. Unlike previous flights where vehicles often exploded or ruptured upon reentry, this ship touched down under engine power and bobbed in the water.
“That is the softest splashdown we have ever had with Starship in the Indian Ocean.”
Dan Huot, SpaceX spokesperson
This “soft” landing was a strategic win for engineers. Six of the deployed Starlink satellites used onboard cameras to photograph the shield during the descent, beaming back crisp images as the ship floated. Elon Musk confirmed on X that the company got all the heat shield data we needed and then some!
The V3 configuration represents a shift toward operational utility. This version features a taller booster and upper stage, increased propellant capacity, and the more powerful Raptor 3 engines. These upgrades aim to push payload capacity toward 200 metric tons to low Earth orbit, a significant jump from the previous 35-ton target.
Super Heavy Booster: Engine Failures and Hard Splashdown
The success of the upper stage was contrasted by a rougher experience for the Super Heavy booster. While the ascent was nominal, the booster struggled during its landing sequence in the Gulf of Mexico. Only five of the 13 engines required for the landing burn ignited, causing the vehicle to hit the water with quite a bit of velocity
, according to Dan Huot.
This engine reliability issue is a recurring theme for the V3 booster. The July 16 attempt ended in a rare post-ignition abort when multiple engines failed to start. To rectify this, SpaceX replaced two Raptor engines and modified the booster to improve relight reliability. Despite these efforts, the July 24 flight showed that the system is not yet fully stable.
Starlink V3 Deployment and Orbital Objectives
Beyond the vehicle tests, Flight 13 served as a debut for the Starlink Version 3 satellites. The ship deployed 20 of these next-generation satellites, which are larger and more powerful than previous iterations. These V3 units feature laser communication links and solar arrays that generate twice the power of prior generations.
The deployment was a precise operation. The satellites were ejected via a Pez-like dispenser
and followed a suborbital trajectory, meaning they were designed to burn up in the atmosphere after approximately 20 minutes. During this brief window, SpaceX successfully established radio-frequency and laser links with all 20 satellites to download key telemetry.
| Feature | Starlink V3 (Flight 13) | Standard Falcon 9 Launch |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Payload Capacity | Up to 60 satellites (planned) | 29 satellites (typical) |
| Power Generation | 2x prior generations | Standard |
| Communications | Laser links & RF | Standard |
This capacity increase is central to SpaceX’s business strategy. By moving from Falcon 9 to Starship for satellite deployment, the company can vastly expand its network more efficiently. Additionally, the company is developing “Starmind” satellites intended for use as orbital data centers.
Financial Stakes and NASA Artemis Timelines
Despite market fluctuations, the technical success of the V3 ship keeps NASA’s Artemis lunar program on track. Starship is designed to serve as a lunar lander for moon crews.
For now, the company continues to iterate at Starbase, balancing the ambition of Mars and moon missions with the immediate need to stabilize the Raptor engine’s reliability during descent.
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