SpaceX Prepares for 13th Starship Test Flight Following FAA Clearance

By Priya Anand

SpaceX is gearing up for its 13th Starship test flight, scheduled for July 16, 2026, following the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) closure of its investigation into a previous booster failure. The test will launch from Starbase, Texas, and aims to deploy 20 operational Starlink V3 satellites.

The FAA's clearance comes after a review of the May 22 booster failure, attributed to engine startup discrepancies and heat effects on propulsion components. SpaceX has since modified its engine-start sequence and alarm systems to enhance booster reliability.

The upcoming flight will also test advanced instrumentation, including load-sensing heat shield tiles designed to gather data under higher dynamic pressure conditions than previous flights. The launch window opens at 5:45 p.m. Central Time and lasts 90 minutes.

A static fire test of the Super Heavy booster, conducted on July 10, confirmed the readiness of Booster 20 for the mission. The booster was positioned on the launch mount using SpaceX's Mechazilla tower arm mechanism.