SpaceX Resets Starship Flight 13 for July 23 After 2 Raptor Engine Replacements
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jul 20
SpaceX Resets Starship Flight 13 for July 23 After 2 Raptor Engine Replacements
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jul 20
Summary
July 23 at 6:45 p.m. EDT is SpaceX’s new target for Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, Texas, after scrubbing the previous attempt at the end of the countdown.
Several of Super Heavy’s 33 Raptor engines failed to ignite on July 16, triggering the automated abort and leading SpaceX to swap out two Raptor 3 engines.
Over the weekend, SpaceX destacked Starship and Super Heavy, rolled both back to the hangar and completed the engine work before setting the new launch date.
Flight 13 is the 13th Starship test since 2023 and the second mission using the upgraded Version 3 vehicle, with goals tied to future orbital flights and an eventual tower catch of the Ship stage.
After a $15B investment and recent IPO, is Starship's repeated launchpad trouble a sign of a failing strategy?
With another critical engine failure, is NASA's Artemis moon mission timeline now in serious jeopardy?
Starship Flight 13 Abort: Technical Setback, Market Impact, and the High-Stakes Race for SpaceX’s Reliability
Overview
Starship Flight 13’s launch was abruptly aborted in its final seconds due to a technical glitch, marking another major challenge for SpaceX as it works to perfect its space cargo system. The company quickly rescheduled the launch for July 22, 2026, and began thorough technical checks and final preparations at the Texas launch pad. This mission is especially important for advancing the Starlink project, which could expand high-speed satellite internet access in regions like Uzbekistan. SpaceX’s rapid response and ongoing improvements highlight its commitment to overcoming setbacks and achieving reliable, reusable spaceflight.