SpaceX Starship Flight 13 deploys first Starlink V3 satellites, achieves softest splashdown yet

Starship's 13th test flight on July 24 deployed 20 next-gen Starlink V3 satellites and ended with SpaceX's softest-ever splashdown.

A 397-foot-tall rocket generating 16 million pounds of thrust lifted off from Starbase, Texas, at 5:51 p.m. EDT on July 24 — and for the first time, it was carrying real payload. SpaceX launched Starship on its 13th test flight, deploying 20 Starlink V3 satellites, a first for the vehicle and a significant step toward its commercial role. The mission came one week after a last-second launch abort scrubbed an earlier attempt. Powered by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster, the two-stage vehicle climbed away from the South Texas launch site to the spectacle of area residents and onlookers below. Both stages performed successfully. The Ship stage — Starship's upper half — achieved what SpaceX described as its 'softest splashdown' ever, adding an unexpected highlight to an already milestone-heavy flight. The Super Heavy booster also landed as planned, with both stages recovered. The Starlink V3 satellites deployed on this flight represent SpaceX's most advanced generation of the broadband hardware. The 13th flight marks the first time Starship has completed a mission carrying operational satellites rather than flying as a pure test vehicle.

Why it matters

Deploying actual Starlink V3 satellites marks Starship's transition from test vehicle to operational launcher, a critical step for SpaceX's plans to use it for commercial missions and eventually NASA's Artemis moon program. Each flight also advances the rocket's reliability record ahead of those high-stakes future missions.

What's next

SpaceX has not announced a date for Flight 14, but the success of Flight 13 — including payload deployment and the notably smooth splashdown — is expected to inform the cadence and objectives of upcoming test flights.

Key facts

• Starship Flight 13 launched July 24 at 5:51 p.m. EDT from Starbase, Texas
• The rocket stands 397 feet tall and produces approximately 16 million pounds of thrust from 33 Raptor engines
• 20 Starlink V3 satellites were deployed — the first operational payload ever carried by Starship
• The Ship stage achieved what SpaceX called its 'softest splashdown' ever
• Both the Super Heavy booster and Ship stage were recovered successfully
• The launch came one week after a last-second abort scrubbed the previous attempt

Bias & framing notes

Teslarati and Yahoo/Space.com leaned into superlatives ('nailed something it's never done before,' 'stunning test flight'), while Spaceflightnow used more measured language ('mostly successful test flight'), suggesting some caution about aspects of the mission not fully detailed in available reporting. KDHNews was the most straightforward in its factual framing. No sources conflicted on the core facts.

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