Starship Test Flight 13

SpaceX's Starship reached key milestones as it tested its most advanced Starlinks.

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SpaceX launches massive Starship rocket in first test flight since IPO

SpaceX's giant Super Heavy-Starship rocket blasts off on key test flight

SpaceX launches Starship on successful test flight

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A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

SpaceX launched Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, Texas, sending 20 third-generation Starlink satellites on the vehicle’s first Starlink deployment during a suborbital test flight. The 407-foot Super Heavy-Starship stack lifted off at 5:51 p.m. ET, and the booster separated about two minutes into flight before a controlled but hard splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico during a simulated landing. The Starship upper stage continued across space, released the satellites, and completed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The flight followed a July 16 abort after four engines failed to ignite, prompting SpaceX to replace two Raptor engines.

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Progress With CaveatsLeans Left

SpaceX’s latest Starship test delivered meaningful progress and hit important milestones. The program still has serious technical and operational challenges to overcome before it can meet its larger goals.