SpaceX is debuting its Starlink Version 3 satellites during the Starship Flight 13 suborbital test flight. According to the company, 20 production satellites will be deployed to test solar array extension, antenna functionality, and high-capacity laser links with the existing low Earth orbit constellation before they demise upon reentry approximately 20 minutes after deployment.
Starship Flight 13: Testing Starlink V3 and Raptor Reliability
The mission utilizes Booster 20 and Ship 40, both of which are flying for the first time. SpaceX will not attempt to recover either stage. This flight marks a shift from Flight 12, which took place in May, by introducing active payload deployment in a suborbital trajectory.
A primary goal for Flight 13 is correcting failures from previous attempts. SpaceX intends to perform a Raptor engine relight on the upper stage during the coast phase and execute a controlled landing of the booster in the Gulf of Mexico. Neither objective was met during the May flight.
Did you know? The failure of Booster 19 in May was caused by a directional flip that was off by roughly 90 degrees, according to SpaceX. This occurred because the engine startup sequence on Ship 39 malfunctioned.
Hardware Upgrades to Booster 20 and Ship 40
To prevent a repeat of the Flight 12 anomalies, SpaceX implemented hardware modifications on the Super Heavy booster. These updates target re-light reliability and refine engine alarms and aborts to better handle the multi-engine flight environment, the company stated.
The Ship 40 upper stage also features “several hardware and operational modifications.” These changes address a specific failure from the previous mission where one of the three Raptor Vacuum engines went offline less than a minute after stage separation.
Heat Shield Iterations and Load Sensing
SpaceX is continuing to refine its thermal protection system to enable rapid reuse. For Flight 13, the company is attaching multiple tiles to the metallic side of the aft flaps and modifying the heat shield covering the aft skirt.
The vehicle now includes load sensing tiles. SpaceX noted these will measure stress as the vehicle experiences higher dynamic pressure on ascent than previous flights, a trade-off made to increase payload-to-orbit capability.
The Path to Artemis 3 and Orbital Launches
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and COO, told CNBC in June that the company may attempt an orbital launch as soon as Flight 14. Shotwell indicated that a monthly launch cadence is the current target for the program.
This acceleration is critical for NASA’s Artemis 3 mission. A modified Starship Version 3 with a docking adaptor is scheduled to fly next year to test the interaction between Starship and NASA’s Orion spacecraft. According to mission details, the Artemis 3 crew will not enter the Starship on that specific test flight; the focus remains on the docking mechanism.
Pro Tip: Follow the 90-minute launch window opening at 5:45 p.m. CDT from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, to see if the new Raptor reliability updates hold up during the boostback burn.
Financial Stakes and Public Market Pressure
Flight 13 is the first Starship mission since SpaceX became a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq. This transition places the performance of the launch infrastructure under increased scrutiny from new investors, as the company aims to begin deploying orbital payloads later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Starlink V3 satellites stay in orbit?
No. According to SpaceX, they are on a suborbital trajectory and will demise upon reentry about 20 minutes after deployment.
What is the main goal of the Flight 13 booster landing?
SpaceX is attempting a controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico, an objective it failed to achieve during Flight 12.
How does Starship fit into the Artemis 3 mission?
A modified Version 3 Starship will be used to test docking interactions with NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Want to stay updated on the race to the Moon?
Leave a comment below telling us if you think SpaceX will hit its monthly launch target, or subscribe to our aerospace newsletter for real-time mission analysis.
Related reading