SpaceX is preparing to launch the 13th full-scale test flight of its Starship vehicle as early as Thursday, with a launch window opening at 5:45 pm CDT (22:45 UTC). The mission is notable for carrying 20 real, functioning Starlink Version 3 satellites in its cargo bay rather than the simulated mass mockups used previously, marking a step towards Starship's eventual role as an operational satellite launcher capable of dramatically expanding SpaceX's broadband constellation.

During the roughly hour-long suborbital flight, from Starbase, Texas, to a splashdown zone in the Indian Ocean, the satellites will deploy their solar arrays and antennas, attempt laser links with other satellites already in orbit, and try to connect with ground stations in South Africa. Six of the Starlink satellites will carry cameras to photograph Starship's heat shield during re-entry, building on imaging tests from May's flight. SpaceX says a fully loaded Starship could eventually carry up to 60 Starlink V3 satellites per launch, adding roughly 60 Tbps of network capacity in one go, far more than a single Falcon 9 launch. Starship also underpins NASA's Artemis Moon programme and SpaceX's Mars ambitions.