Watch as SpaceX targets Friday, July 24, for the 13th flight test of Starship from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. The 90-minute launch window opens at 5:45 p.m. CT (00:45 CEST).
This attempt follows a scrub earlier this week, which allowed SpaceX teams time to successfully swap out faulty Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster.
Building on the debut of the V3 vehicles during Flight 12, this mission marks the very first time Starship will deploy a payload into space: 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Six of these satellites are equipped with cameras to scan Starship’s heat shield before they demise upon reentry.
The Super Heavy booster will execute a boostback and landing burn, targeting an offshore landing point in the Gulf of Mexico. The Starship upper stage will deploy the Starlink satellites, attempt an in-space relight of a single Raptor engine, and target a controlled reentry and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Flight 13 Objectives:
– Launch & Ascent: Liftoff from Starbase; testing load-sensing tiles under higher dynamic pressure.
– Stage Separation: Modified startup sequence to correct the 90-degree flip error seen on Flight 12.
– Booster Return: Boostback burn with upgraded hardware to fix Flight 12’s engine relight failures.
– Booster Landing: Offshore landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf (No tower catch).
– Payload Deployment: Starship deploys 20 Starlink V3 satellites (which will demise on reentry ~20 mins later).
– Engine Relight: In-space relight of a single Raptor engine.
– Reentry & Splashdown: Controlled entry, descent, and splashdown of Starship in the Indian Ocean.
Video Credit: SpaceX / X.com
🔔 Subscribe for more live spaceflight streams and check out our 24/7 space launch calendar: https://youtube.com/live/ALounHc7xxQ
SpaceX Merchandise (Affiliate links that support this channel without costing you more)
🚀Falcon 9 Model: https://amzn.to/43Ekipa
🚀Matchbox Dragon Spacecraft: https://amzn.to/4a63meR
🚀Starship Model: https://amzn.to/4ovDK0N
🚀Falcon 9 Booster Model: https://amzn.to/4vLJYMq
👕 SpaceX Shirt: https://amzn.to/4eoPCNw
🧢Baseball Hat: https://amzn.to/4aMsfMH
💡Starship Christal Light: https://amzn.to/3SbsieO
Music by @AstrellarMusic
More space related livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@InterstellarNewsHub/streams