‹ rbtfl.

SpaceX to launch Starship Flight 13 on July 16, second V3 flight to carry first V3 Starlink satellites

SpaceX is set to launch Starship Flight 13 from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on July 16, the second flight of the Starship V3 configuration and the first to deploy V3 Starlink satellites

Space· pending-decision The Long Game ·4 takes · ·rbtfl upd Jul 16, 2026
post

The split

The same story, as told by newsrooms in different countries. Their words, attributed and linked.

United States

Space.com

“These will be the first Starlink Version 3 satellites to deploy in space.”

Leading spaceflight outlet; provided the mission profile, confirming Flight 13 as the second Starship V3 flight and the first to carry V3 Starlink satellitesread the original ↗

United States

Space.com

“SpaceX will launch its next Starship, carrying the first V3 Starlink satellites, on the Flight 13 test mission on July 16.”

Same outlet, later mission timeline piece; confirmed the July 16 date and described Flight 13 as the second Starship V3 flight, setting out the full mission timelineread the original ↗

post

Summary

SpaceX is scheduled to launch Starship Flight 13 from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on July 16. Space.com reported the mission is the second flight of the Starship V3 configuration and will be the first to deploy Starlink Version 3 satellites in space. The V3 Starlink generation is a new iteration of the satellite internet constellation.

The split

Space.com provided the key mission detail: the payload will be the first V3 Starlink satellites. Launch schedule trackers (Space Launch Schedule, RocketLaunch.Live) confirmed the mission and date. No competing characterisations of the mission were available in the accessible sources.

By the numbers

  • Flight 13, the cumulative test and operational flight number for the two-stage Starship vehicle
  • 2nd flight of the Starship V3 vehicle configuration
  • 1st deployment of Starlink Version 3 satellites if the mission succeeds

Why it matters

Each Starship flight advances SpaceX's operational readiness for the fully reusable two-stage heavy-lift system, which NASA and commercial partners depend on for future crewed lunar and deep-space missions. The V3 Starlink payload is also significant: it marks the transition to a next-generation satellite design intended to increase internet capacity and coverage.

What to watch

  • Whether the July 16 launch proceeds on schedule or is delayed
  • Starship's flight performance and whether both stages are recovered
  • Confirmation that V3 Starlink satellites deploy and activate successfully

The briefing, by email