SpaceX Sets Thursday, July 23, for Starship Flight Test 13

SpaceX announced that the thirteenth integrated flight test of its Starship system will target Thursday, July 23. The 90-minute launch window opens at 5:45 p.m. Central Time from the Starbase facility in South Texas. The date follows an aborted attempt on July 16, when the vehicle’s automatic abort system activated just as engine start-up began, and a previously announced target of July 20 that was also missed.

Reuters

The abort was traced to a failure of some Raptor engines to ignite as expected. SpaceX responded by replacing two Raptors on Booster 20 and modifying the rocket’s propulsion system to improve engine-out capability. The company also incorporated hardware and software changes to address the “off-nominal flip and boostback burn” problems seen on Flight 12, as well as upgrades to heat-shield tiles and attachment points. These adjustments aim to ensure reliable operation of the vehicle’s 33-engine configuration during the upcoming launch.

Teslarati

Flight 13 will carry 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites—the first real payload of this type—intended to demonstrate the satellite-dispensing system and laser-communication links. The satellites will follow a sub-orbital trajectory and burn up in the atmosphere after deployment. Primary objectives for the Super Heavy booster include a successful liftoff, ascent, stage separation, boost-back burn, and controlled splashdown in the Gulf of America. For the Starship upper stage, goals are a single Raptor engine relight in space, a controlled entry, descent, and splashdown in the Indian Ocean, and collection of heat-shield performance data via onboard cameras.

Teslarati

SpaceX issued a statement confirming the propulsion-system modifications and the new launch target. CEO Elon Musk first posted that the launch would occur on Friday, then clarified, “I mean Thursday,” aligning with the company’s announcement. Musk also noted that “some engines did not start as expected,” prompting the replacement of the Raptors. The Federal Aviation Administration completed its mishap investigation of Flight 12 earlier in the month, clearing the regulatory path for the test.

Reuters

• “I mean Thursday,” — Elon Musk, CEO, SpaceX

Reuters