SpaceX conducted the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket on July 24 (local time) from Starbase, Texas, achieving partial success as the upper stage completed its mission while the Super Heavy booster experienced engine reignition failures during descent. The booster's partial engine malfunction caused it to sink into the Gulf of Mexico faster than planned, though all 33 engines ignited successfully at launch. This test flight marked the first since SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) last month and the first Starship mission to carry operational satellites as payload.
This was the second flight of the V3 Starship configuration equipped with Raptor3 engines, following the first V3 test on May 22. The rocket carried 20 Starlink V3 test satellites as payload for the first time in the Starship program. According to major foreign media reports, the launch proceeded from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas.
Starship Upper Stage Completes Satellite Deployment and Ocean Splashdown
After the Super Heavy booster separated, the upper stage continued suborbital flight and deployed 20 Starlink V3 test satellites at approximately 200 kilometers altitude. The satellites were planned to reenter the atmosphere and burn up rather than entering orbit. After approximately one hour of flight, the Starship upper stage splashed down vertically in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX officials evaluated this as the most stable and smooth splashdown among all test launches to date.
CEO Elon Musk stated, "We obtained all the necessary heat shield data" and "Starship is safe." The upper stage mission objectives were fully achieved according to SpaceX's assessment.
Super Heavy Booster Experiences Partial Engine Reignition Failure During Descent
The Super Heavy booster encountered issues during its descent to the Gulf of Mexico. While all 33 engines ignited as planned during launch, partial engine reignition proved insufficient during the descent phase. CNN reported that of the 13 engines that reignited during the splashdown preparation stage, some experienced problems during the landing attempt.
The insufficient engine reignition caused the booster to sink into the ocean at a faster speed than planned. This partial failure contrasted with the successful upper stage mission, resulting in the overall assessment of partial success for the 13th test flight.
FAQ
What happened during SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight on July 24?
SpaceX launched the 13th Starship test flight on July 24 (local time) from Starbase, Texas. The upper stage successfully deployed 20 Starlink V3 test satellites at approximately 200 kilometers altitude and splashed down vertically in the Indian Ocean after approximately one hour of flight. However, the Super Heavy booster experienced partial engine reignition failure during descent, causing it to sink into the Gulf of Mexico faster than planned.
Why did the Super Heavy booster fail during the test flight?
While all 33 engines ignited successfully at launch, only partial reignition of 13 engines occurred during the booster's descent phase. Some of these reignited engines experienced problems during the landing attempt, resulting in insufficient deceleration and a faster-than-planned ocean splashdown.
What did Elon Musk say about the Starship test flight results?
Elon Musk stated that SpaceX obtained all the necessary heat shield data from the flight and that "Starship is safe." SpaceX officials evaluated the upper stage's vertical splashdown in the Indian Ocean as the most stable and smooth splashdown among all test launches conducted to date.
