SpaceX sets July 16 target for Starship Flight 13

SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Thursday, July 16, for Starship Flight 13, with a 90-minute window beginning at 6:45 p.m. EDT and a livestream starting about 30 minutes before liftoff. Flight 13 will be the second launch of Starship Version 3 and will carry 20 Starlink V3 satellites for release and in-space functionality testing. The mission is described as a critical test flight and the 13th Starship launch since 2023.[3][10] Why it matters: This is a major near-term test of SpaceX’s upgraded Starship architecture, which is central to the company’s launch plans and broader heavy-lift ambitions. The inclusion of Starlink V3 payloads also ties the test directly to operational satellite deployment goals.[3][10] Key insights: Flight 13 is the second launch of Starship Version 3, making it an important validation point for the newer design.[3][10] | SpaceX has set a defined launch window and webcast timing, signaling the mission is close enough to follow live.[3] | The mission profile includes deploying 20 Starlink V3 satellites for functionality testing, not just a pure vehicle demo.[10]