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SpaceX Starship completes 13th test flight, marking steady progress toward reusability

Published July 25, 2026 at 8:02 PM UTC

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SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the 13th time on Thursday, continuing an aggressive test campaign aimed at developing a fully reusable launch system. The flight, which took off from the company's Boca Chica facility in Texas, achieved several key milestones, though specific details have not been fully disclosed. This test comes just weeks after the company's last flight and is part of a rapid iteration strategy that SpaceX has championed since the program began. Starship is the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built, designed to carry heavy payloads and crew to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The 13th flight is significant because it represents sustained operational tempo and data collection, moving the system closer to certification for commercial and government missions. Industry observers and NASA, which plans to use a version of Starship for its Artemis lunar landings, are watching closely. Each test reduces technical risk but also exposes the vehicle to potential failures. The flight's results will inform design changes and the timeline for future missions.