SpaceX targets July 23 launch for 13th starship test flight

SpaceX is preparing to launch the 13th test flight of its Starship spacecraft as early as July 23, following the cancellation of a previous launch attempt due to engine-related issues.

The company said the 90-minute launch window is scheduled to open at 5:45 p.m. Central Time, with a live webcast expected to begin approximately 30 minutes before liftoff, Caliber.Az reports per the company.

Now targeting to launch Starship’s thirteenth flight test as early as Thursday, July 23 → https://t.co/Rp7VwBzpWx pic.twitter.com/Y0YNzfc5zk

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 19, 2026

"As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change," SpaceX said in a statement, urging viewers to follow updates through the company’s official channels.

The upcoming mission will aim to repeat and expand on objectives from the previous flight test, which marked the debut of the Starship and Super Heavy V3 vehicles. The mission will also include the first deployment attempt involving next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.

SpaceX said the primary objectives for the Super Heavy booster include a successful launch, ascent, stage separation, boostback burn, and landing burn at an offshore location in the Gulf of America.

The company said it has introduced hardware and software changes to address problems identified during the previous flight. During Flight 12, the booster experienced issues during stage separation and later encountered problems when five of its 33 engines failed to restart during the boostback burn, causing the manoeuvre to end early.

SpaceX said modifications have been made to improve engine restart reliability, along with updates to engine monitoring systems and emergency abort procedures.

The previous launch attempt, scheduled for July 16, was halted shortly before liftoff because of engine problems.

By Sabina Mammadli