SpaceX is targeting Thursday, July 16, for the launch of its thirteenth Starship test flight, with the launch window scheduled to open as early as 5:45 p.m. local time from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.

The mission will mark the second Starship flight test of 2026 and represents another step in the development of SpaceX’s fully reusable launch system, which is intended to support future missions to Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars.

Building on the Previous Flight

According to SpaceX, Flight 13 will pursue many of the same objectives as the previous test mission, which introduced the third-generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. Engineers will continue evaluating vehicle performance, flight systems and recovery capabilities as development progresses.

The upcoming mission also includes a significant new milestone. For the first time, Starship will carry next-generation Starlink V3 satellites, providing an opportunity to test deployment capabilities for the latest version of SpaceX’s broadband internet constellation.

Safety Measures in Place

Ahead of the launch, SpaceX has coordinated with local authorities to establish a safety perimeter around the Starbase launch site. Temporary closures of State Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach will be implemented during launch operations to ensure public safety.

Residents and visitors in the area are advised to follow official notices regarding road access and beach closures throughout the launch campaign.

Schedule May Change

As with previous Starship test campaigns, the planned launch date remains subject to change. SpaceX noted that weather conditions, technical readiness and other operational factors could result in adjustments to the schedule.

Starship remains the world’s largest and most powerful rocket system under development and is central to SpaceX’s long-term plans for deep-space exploration while also supporting the continued expansion of the company’s Starlink satellite network.