SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 13 with first Starlink V3 deployment on July 16

SpaceX has scheduled its 13th Starship test flight to launch on a Wednesday, marking the first deployment of the company’s new Starlink V3 satellites. The mission will also evaluate the upgraded flight‑control systems and the re‑entry and recovery of the Starship booster, a critical step in proving the vehicle’s reusability and readiness for future operational launches. The test flight will use a Starship vehicle launched from the company's Boca Chica launch site in Texas, with a planned landing on a nearby drone ship.

The Starlink V3 payloads represent a significant upgrade to SpaceX’s satellite constellation, featuring improved power, higher data throughput, and enhanced on‑board processing to support a growing global broadband network. By integrating the satellite deployment with booster‑recovery tests, SpaceX aims to validate the simultaneous operation of payload release and vehicle recovery, a capability essential for the company’s long‑term goal of rapid, low‑cost launch cadence. The upgraded flight‑control software will also be assessed under the stresses of a full‑throttle ascent and a high‑g re‑entry profile.

If the test proceeds as planned, the successful deployment of Starlink V3 satellites and the demonstration of booster recovery will bring SpaceX one step closer to a fully operational Starship launch system. The outcome will inform the next series of flights that will carry commercial, governmental, and potentially crewed missions, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding access to space while advancing its reusable launch technology.