SpaceX achieved a milestone on Friday by deploying the first batch of third-generation Starlink satellites aboard an upgraded Starship, marking the 13th test flight of the company's mega-rocket. However, the mission was marred by another Super Heavy booster failure during a planned simulated landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
V3 Starlink Satellites Successfully Deployed
The Starship upper stage, which SpaceX refers to as "the Ship," performed smoothly throughout Friday's mission. Unlike the first V3 flight in May, when the upper stage lost a rocket engine, no such issues occurred this time. The Ship deployed the new Starlink satellites without incident and continued on to survive the intense forces of atmospheric reentry.
Roughly one hour after liftoff, the upper stage completed a simulated landing in the Indian Ocean. In a notable improvement over previous missions, the Ship did not explode upon tipping into the water. Instead, it remained afloat, allowing SpaceX to deploy a drone for close inspection of the heat shield tiles on its underside.
The newly deployed V3 Starlink satellites burned up in the atmosphere approximately 20 minutes after deployment, as Starship currently lacks the capability to reach Earth orbit. Nevertheless, SpaceX confirmed it maintained communication with all of the satellites during their brief time in space, marking a meaningful step forward for the Starlink program, which stands as the only profitable segment of the company's business.
Super Heavy Booster Suffers Second Failure
Friday's launch marked the second time a Super Heavy booster has encountered problems on the V3 version of Starship. During the first V3 flight in May, the booster failed as it separated from the upper stage. This time around, the booster progressed further into its planned flight profile but was unable to properly ignite all of the engines needed for its simulated landing burn. The vehicle ultimately exploded following a faster-than-expected impact with the water.
The launch came just over a week after SpaceX's previous attempt at the 13th Starlink mission. That earlier effort was aborted immediately after ignition due to multiple rocket engine failures. SpaceX addressed the issue by replacing six engines ahead of Friday's flight.
Stock Pressure Mounts After Historic IPO
This mission represented the first Starship launch since SpaceX went public in June in what was described as the largest initial public offering in history. The company's stock has been on a broader downward trajectory since the IPO, falling from a peak above $200 per share to $115 at Friday's closing bell.