SpaceX launches Starship on 13th test flight, deploys Starlink satellites

SpaceX has successfully launched its Starship megarocket on its 13th flight test, deploying 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites and completing a soft splashdown of the spacecraft in the Indian Ocean. The rocket lifted off from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas at 5:51 pm Central Time.

Flight Highlights

Super Heavy ignited all 33 Raptor 3 engines and ascended over the Gulf of America, while the upper stage ignited its six Raptor engines following stage separation. The booster performed a directional flip maneuver but experienced a hard splashdown after some engines reignited. Starship completed its ascent burn and deployed all 20 satellites, with engineers successfully communicating with each satellite.

Heatshield Data and Future Plans

During reentry, Starship gathered data on heatshield performance before performing a dynamic banking maneuver. It then guided itself to the planned splashdown zone in the Indian Ocean, relighting all three engines for a soft landing. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the mission would be "game-changing" for future space exploration.