SpaceX is targeting July 23 (Thursday) for the 13th flight test of its Starship rocket, following an aborted attempt on July 16. The launch window is set to open at 5:45 p.m. U.S. Central Time from the Starbase facility in Texas .

SpaceX is targeting July 23 (Thursday) for the 13th flight test of its Starship rocket, following an aborted attempt on July 16. The launch window is set to open at 5:45 p.m. U.S. Central Time from the Starbase facility in Texas .
A Setback with Market Consequences
The previous launch attempt on July 16 was automatically aborted at T-1 second after several of the Super Heavy booster's 33 Raptor engines failed to start properly . The abort triggered a sharp market reaction, with SpaceX stock dropping over 3% in after-hours trading and falling below its $135 IPO price for the first time . The aborted attempt also contributed to a reported $100 billion reduction in market capitalization for the company .
CEO Elon Musk confirmed that two engines will be replaced ahead of the next attempt to address the issue . Musk initially posted that the next launch would be on Friday, then corrected himself to align with the company's Thursday target .
What's at Stake: Mission Objectives
Starship's 13th test flight is the second mission for the third-generation (V3) Starship and Super Heavy configuration . The mission has several key objectives:
· First Deployment of Starlink V3 Satellites: The upper stage will carry and deploy 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites for the first time, which will attempt to connect to the broader Starlink constellation via high-capacity lasers before reentering the atmosphere .
· In-Space Engine Relight: The Starship upper stage will test a single Raptor engine relight while in space, a critical capability for future orbital missions .
· Booster Recovery: The Super Heavy booster will attempt a controlled return and splashdown in the Gulf of America after stage separation .
The Bigger Picture
This mission holds particular significance for multiple reasons. It marks SpaceX's first Starship test since the company's record-breaking IPO on the Nasdaq in June . The launch profile is also an important step toward orbital operations, as a successful engine relight test could help SpaceX move beyond suborbital flights . The company is targeting its first orbital Starship launch by the end of the year .
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