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Starship Deploys First Starlink V3 Satellites

July 25, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Starship Flight 13 deployed first Starlink V3 satellites.
All 33 Raptor engines fired cleanly at liftoff.
The flight achieved the vehicle's softest splashdown yet.
10,828 Starlink satellites are currently operational.

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Strategic Implications

This deployment may signal a significant step towards full Starlink V3 constellation buildout, which could enhance SpaceX's position in the satellite internet market. The successful test suggests that Starship is transitioning from a test article to a genuine payload delivery vehicle, which may have implications for the company's launch cadence and competitiveness.

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What Happened

SpaceX Achieves Milestone In Starlink Constellation Buildout

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 has successfully deployed the first Starlink V3 satellites, marking a milestone in the program’s transition towards operational payload delivery. The flight, which lifted off from Starbase, Texas, saw all 33 Raptor engines fire cleanly at liftoff, and both stages executed controlled descents, with the upper stage completing a notably soft splashdown. With 10,828 Starlink satellites currently operational, this deployment test signals the next phase of network capacity expansion. This development was first reported by Unknown Source.

Source | Originally Published: July 25, 2026

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