Story perspectives

SpaceX Starship Test 13 Ends in Booster Explosion, Shares Drop

7/29/2026

Summary

SpaceX Starship Test

SpaceX completed its thirteenth Starship test, deploying Starlink satellites before the booster exploded.
Upper stage landed intact in the Indian Ocean, first Starship splashdown without explosion.
Only ten of thirteen booster engines reignited for re-entry, causing a Gulf of Mexico crash.
SpaceX shares fell to $108.66, 20 % below the $135 IPO price, while S&P Global says the firm will need more financing before cash flow turns positive by 2029.

Summary

SpaceX Flags Heatshield

Experts identified heat-shield tile boundary streaks that suggest possible hot-gas penetration during Flight 13.
Dan Rasky, Charles Camarda and Charles Miller examined drone footage and reported cracked tiles and broken edges.
Dan Rasky, Charles Camarda and Charles Miller argue current thermal-protection system is a dead-end for rapid-reuse missions.
SpaceX will attempt a Super Heavy catch on Flight 14 only after reviewing Flight 13 data, according to Elon Musk.

History

Historical Context

On Feb 1 2003 the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart after a 2-inch foam piece struck its left wing, prompting the Columbia Accident Investigation Board and a two-year grounding of the shuttle fleet. NASA’s redesign added on-orbit tile inspections and rescue plans, and that legacy now forces SpaceX’s Starship program, led by engineers such as Dan Rasky, to overhaul its heat-shield before Flight 13 proceeds.

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SpaceX Starship Test

SpaceX completed its thirteenth Starship test, deploying Starlink satellites before the booster exploded.
Upper stage landed intact in the Indian Ocean, first Starship splashdown without explosion.
Only ten of thirteen booster engines reignited for re-entry, causing a Gulf of Mexico crash.
SpaceX shares fell to $108.66, 20 % below the $135 IPO price, while S&P Global says the firm will need more financing before cash flow turns positive by 2029.

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