SpaceX has scheduled its 13th Starship orbital test flight for Thursday, July 16, 2026, from the company's Starbase facility in Cameron County, Texas.
The mission aims to deploy next-generation Starlink satellites.
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The 90-minute launch window is set to open at 5:45 p. m.
local time, requiring temporary closures of Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach, according to reports from krgv. com.
SpaceX prepared for the flight by completing a 25-second static fire test of Super Heavy Booster 20 on July 10, 2026.
The prelaunch test successfully ignited all 33 upgraded Raptor 3 engines at the launchpad, simulating flight conditions.
For the first time, the massive vehicle will carry a payload consisting of 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites designed to expand network capacity and internet speeds.
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Six of these satellites are equipped with specialized cameras to scan the spacecraft's protective heat shield tiles during atmospheric reentry, according to indiatoday.
in.
Flight Profile and Objectives
The flight profile requires the Super Heavy booster to execute a boostback burn after stage separation, concluding with a controlled touchdown at sea.
Meanwhile, the upper Starship stage will attempt to relight a single Raptor engine in space before performing a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
This mission aims to resolve technical issues from Flight 12 in May, during which the booster suffered an off-target flip and experienced engine reignition failures.
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"Critical Path" continues the ongoing Starship series, following SpaceX engineers through the final days before launch.
