SpaceX is preparing for Starship's 13th full-scale test flight, which could launch as soon as Thursday during a window opening at 5:45 pm CDT (22:45 UTC). The mission will largely mirror the previous Starship flight from May but includes a notable first: deploying real Starlink satellites from the spacecraft.
What Happened
Technicians have installed 20 Starlink Version 3 broadband satellites into Starship's cargo bay deployer, a system of pulleys and cables designed to eject satellites one at a time through an opening on the side of the vehicle. The satellites are functional but will not join SpaceX's operational network. Engineers plan to briefly establish laser communication links between the V3 satellites and other spacecraft flying in low-Earth orbit. This would validate Starlink V3's interoperability with SpaceX's previous-generation constellation.
Why It Matters
The test marks a key step for Starlink V3, which must work seamlessly alongside older satellites to expand coverage and bandwidth. Validating laser inter-satellite links is critical as SpaceX competes to offer higher-throughput broadband globally and defend its market position against emerging LEO competitors. For NASA, successful payload deployment from Starship reinforces the vehicle's viability for future cargo missions under Artemis.
The Bottom Line
Starship IFT-13 will be the second flight of SpaceX's newest Starship variant to carry operational Starlink hardware. Thursday's launch window opens at 22:45 UTC; outcomes will inform both Starship's commercial manifest and SpaceX's next-generation constellation architecture.