SpaceX Starship 40 of Flight Test#13 Returns from Indian Ocean | Starbase Texas

SpaceX Starship 40 of Flight Test#13 Returns from Indian Ocean | Starbase Texas

SpaceX Update: "The first Starship to return to its launch site, Ship 40's journey took it across air, space, and sea. Now that it is vertical alongside three other Starships in a Megabay at Starbase, it will provide first-of-its-kind data on a flown Starship heatshield, Raptor engines, avionics, and more."

SpaceX Starship Flight Test 13 involved the launch of Ship 40 on July 24, 2026. This flight test was notable for being the first to deploy operational Starlink V3 satellites and successfully completed a full-duration ascent burn. The test demonstrated the vehicle's ability to survive reentry and was a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to develop the Starship program. 

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.

Learn more about Starship:
https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):
https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Image Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Release Date: Oct. 13, 2026 

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