Live coverage: SpaceX ready for 2nd attempt to launch Starship Flight 13 following post-abort engine work
SpaceX is preparing for a second attempt to launch Starship Flight 13 from its Texas launch site. The mission follows a temporary delay caused by Tropical Storm Bertha and a necessary week of repairs to the Super Heavy booster engines. Teams successfully replaced and tested Raptor engines after a previous launch attempt ended with a pre-ignition abort. Workers re-stacked the Ship 40 upper stage onto the Booster 20 vehicle to ready the stack for the next window.
The upcoming flight schedule targets a 90-minute window on Friday, July 24, starting at 5:45 p.m. CDT. This mission serves as a critical test for several hardware upgrades. The primary objective is the deployment of 20 Starlink V3 satellites. This launch marks the first time production satellites will be released from the Starship vehicle on a suborbital trajectory. The satellites are expected to attempt laser connections with the existing constellation before entering the atmosphere.
Technical improvements for this mission focus on engine reliability. SpaceX implemented hardware modifications to address the startup sequence issues seen during the previous Flight 12 mission. The team updated engine alarms and abort logic to better respond to the high-pressure flight environment. Engineers also installed load-sensing heat shield tiles to collect data on structural stress during the ascent phase. These tests remain key to refining the vehicle for future full reusability.
Simultaneously, the Government Accountability Office released a report regarding the broader Artemis program. The document highlights development challenges with the Human Landing System version of Starship. While NASA officials noted that the report lacks current context regarding programmatic adjustments made this year, the document identifies Raptor engine development as a primary technical risk. SpaceX continues to iterate on the engine design, specifically incorporating welded joints to prevent fuel leaks. Success on this flight provides data to support these ongoing development goals.