Spacex's Starship Test Flight Carries Next-gen Starlink Satellites
WHO:
ABC News Tech - SpaceX is the organization conducting the test flight.
Engadget - The payload includes 20 V3 Starlink satellites.
WHAT:
SpaceNews - The Starship upper stage deployed its payload of 20 Starlink V3 satellites and conducted about 20 minutes of tests, including deployment of solar arrays and antennas as well as communications tests with ground stations and other Starlink satellites.
SpaceNews - SpaceX executive Michael Nicolls stated, “We’ve successfully communicated with all sats using RF [radio-frequency] and laser links and been able to download key telemetry.”
SpaceNews - The Starship upper stage performed a relight of a Raptor engine lasting about 14 seconds, which is significantly longer than previous tests.
SpaceNews - After splashdown, the Starship floated in the water and continued to return imagery, marking the first time an intact Starship was put in the water.
SpaceNews - SpaceX launched Starship on its 13th suborbital test flight, deploying functioning Starlink satellites for the first time.
SpaceNews - The launch was delayed 24 hours due to cloudy conditions, although the clouds did not prevent the launch.
SpaceNews - The Starship upper stage performed a relight of a Raptor engine lasting about 14 seconds.
SpaceNews - Starship performed a reentry and soft splashdown in the Indian Ocean about 65½ minutes after liftoff.
SpaceNews - SpaceX acknowledged that not all Raptor engines needed for the landing burn started up, causing the booster to hit the water at a higher speed than planned.
SpaceNews - This is the first time SpaceX has put an intact Starship in the water after splashdown.
SpaceNews - SpaceX attempted the Flight 13 launch on July 16 but aborted it due to engine ignition issues.
SpaceNews - An investigation found an “off-nominal spin response” in six engines linked to moisture accumulation in the turbopumps.
SpaceNews - SpaceX replaced the engines and tested them on the pad on July 22.
NY Post - The test flight of SpaceX's Starship rocket released 20 of the most advanced Starlink satellites halfway around the world.
ABC News Tech - SpaceX's Starship rocket has launched on a test flight.
Engadget - This is the 13th test flight of the Starship.
WHERE:
ABC News Tech - The launch took place at SpaceX's facility (specific location not mentioned).
WHEN:
Engadget - The test flight is noted as the 13th, but no specific date is provided for this event.
WHY:
ABC News Tech - The purpose of the flight is to test the capabilities of the most advanced Starlink satellites.
HOW:
SpaceNews - SpaceX replaced four of the 33 engines in the Super Heavy booster that failed to ignite properly due to issues with their liquid oxygen turbopumps.
ABC News Tech - The Starship rocket is used to carry the payload of advanced Starlink satellites.
(UPDATED July 25, 2026 18:11 UTC)
SpaceX's Starship upper stage successfully deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites and conducted a series of tests, including the deployment of solar arrays and antennas, as well as communications checks with ground stations and other satellites. SpaceX executive Michael Nicolls confirmed that they established communication with all satellites using both radio-frequency and laser links, while also downloading crucial telemetry data. In a notable achievement, the Starship performed a 14-second relight of a Raptor engine and, after splashdown, floated in the water, continuing to return imagery, marking the first time an intact Starship was placed in the water.
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(UPDATED July 25, 2026 16:18 UTC)
SpaceX successfully launched Starship on its 13th suborbital test flight, marking the first deployment of functioning Starlink satellites. Although the launch was delayed by 24 hours due to cloudy conditions, the mission proceeded, and the upper stage performed a 14-second relight of a Raptor engine before reentering and softly splashing down in the Indian Ocean about 65½ minutes after liftoff. This mission is notable as it is the first time SpaceX has put an intact Starship in the water after splashdown, despite some Raptor engines failing to ignite for the landing burn, resulting in a higher-than-expected impact speed.
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(UPDATED July 25, 2026 06:39 UTC)
In a significant milestone for SpaceX, the test flight of the Starship rocket successfully deployed 20 of the most advanced Starlink satellites. This launch took place halfway around the world, showcasing the company's ongoing advancements in satellite technology. The deployment marks another step forward in SpaceX's mission to enhance global internet coverage.
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(UPDATED July 25, 2026 00:19 UTC)
SpaceX has successfully launched its Starship rocket on a test flight, marking the 13th attempt of this kind. The payload for this mission includes 20 advanced V3 Starlink satellites, aimed at testing their capabilities. The launch took place at SpaceX's facility, although the specific location has not been disclosed.