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Starship Flight 13 Deploys Working Starlink V3 Satellites

July 26, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Starship Flight 13 deployed working Starlink V3 satellites.
Both stages executed controlled descents.
The ship achieved its softest ocean splashdown yet.
Flight 13 fixed issues from Flight 12.

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Strategic Implications

This successful deployment may indicate a significant step towards full reusability for Starship, which could cut turnaround time between flights and strengthen SpaceX's competitive position in the satellite launch market. The achievement suggests that SpaceX is making progress in its Starship program, which could have implications for the company's future launch capabilities and the broader space industry.

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What Happened

SpaceX Achieves Milestone With Successful Satellite Deployment

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 successfully deployed functioning Starlink V3 satellites for the first time, with both stages executing controlled descents and the ship achieving its softest ocean splashdown yet. The flight also fixed issues that surfaced on Flight 12, including problems with stage separation and heat-shield performance. This milestone marks a significant step forward for SpaceX’s Starship program, which aims to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying both crew and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. The success of Flight 13 was first reported by SpaceNews.

Source | Originally Published: July 26, 2026

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