Miss the Starship launch? Here's what SpaceX accomplished in flight 13

SpaceX successfully completed its 13th Starship test flight on July 24, launching the V3 prototype from its Starbase facility in South Texas. Despite two prior delays caused by engine issues and tropical weather, the massive rocket lifted off at 6:51 p.m. ET. This mission marked a significant progression in the company’s push toward lunar and deep-space capabilities.

The mission featured a controlled separation of the 236-foot Super Heavy booster. While the booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, five of its 33 engines failed to relight for the landing burn, resulting in a hard splashdown. SpaceX continues to refine the recovery process for this first stage to ensure future precision landings.

The upper-stage spacecraft performed more effectively. It operated in space for roughly one hour, successfully deploying 20 third-generation Starlink satellites to test network communication. Following this, the vehicle completed a controlled reentry, utilizing its four maneuvering flaps before executing a soft, intact water landing in the Indian Ocean. Remaining intact during the descent provided the engineering team with valuable data regarding the durability of the heat shield.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman publicly highlighted the importance of this test, noting the vehicle's role in the Artemis program for lunar exploration. SpaceX is currently under contract to develop a lunar lander configuration of Starship to transport astronauts. Moving forward, the company must master orbital flight, mid-flight propellant transfer, and the return of the upper stage to the launch site. These milestones remain critical to Elon Musk’s long-term objectives of lunar base development and human missions to Mars.