SpaceX launches Starship on 13th test flight; Super Heavy Booster ignites all 33 engines and successfully deploys 20 Starlink satellites
Elon MuskSpaceX

SpaceX launches Starship on 13th test flight; Super Heavy Booster ignites all 33 engines and successfully deploys 20 Starlink satellites

SpaceX's thirteenth test flight of Starship saw the Super Heavy Booster ignite all 33 engines, successfully deploy 20 Starlink satellites, and complete stage separation before a hard splashdown in the Gulf. CEO Elon Musk hinted at plans to catch Starship with the launch tower on future flights.

ValleyCentral.com ValleyCentral.com27 July 2026 · 05:08 UTC
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SpaceX's thirteenth test flight of Starship marked a significant milestone as the Super Heavy Booster ignited all 33 engines, successfully deploying 20 Starlink V3 satellites and completing stage separation. The flight culminated in a hard splashdown in the Gulf, as reported by SpaceX.125

CEO Elon Musk announced plans to attempt to catch Starship with the launch tower on the next scheduled test flight, contingent on the review of mission data. This ambitious goal reflects SpaceX's ongoing commitment to refining its launch and recovery processes.34

Despite the successful deployment of the satellites and the completion of primary objectives, SpaceX has yet to announce a launch date for Starship Flight 14. The company continues to push the boundaries of space technology, aiming for future missions that could further enhance satellite deployment capabilities and pave the way for interplanetary travel.

The thirteenth flight not only showcased the technical prowess of SpaceX but also highlighted the company's strategic vision for the future of space exploration and satellite communications.

Key Insight
“During the thirteenth test flight, Starship completed all primary objectives, including the deployment of 20 Starlink V3 satellites. Elon Musk has announced plans to attempt a tower catch for the next test flight, pending a review of mission data for any issues.”
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“SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announces SpaceX will attempt to catch Starship with the tower on the next scheduled test flight.”
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