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FAA Clears SpaceX to Launch Starship Flight 13 From Texas

The test will validate fixes to engine relights and booster sequencing and its results will shape whether SpaceX moves quickly toward an orbital attempt.

© SpaceX via X
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SpaceX's Starship and booster have cameras capable of streaming 4K videos through every phase of flight, according to the company.

Overview

  • Flight 13 is scheduled to lift off Thursday from SpaceX’s Starbase during a 90-minute window that opens at 5:45 p.m. CDT and will use Booster 20 and Ship 40 on their first flights.
  • The FAA closed its Flight 12 mishap review on July 13 and accepted SpaceX’s probable‑cause findings, clearing the company to fly after hardware and software changes.
  • The stack will carry 20 production Starlink V3 satellites that will extend panels and antennas, try to link to the wider constellation, and are expected to burn up roughly 20 minutes after deployment.
  • Mission goals include an in‑space Raptor engine restart attempt, a controlled booster descent to the Gulf of Mexico, and multiple heat‑shield experiments plus cameras on six Starlinks to image the shield before reentry.
  • A clean Flight 13 would let SpaceX consider an orbital Starship attempt as soon as Flight 14 and would affect NASA’s Artemis schedule, Starlink buildout plans, and investor expectations for a faster launch cadence.