SpaceX's Starship: Next Giant Leap Tonight!

SpaceX is preparing for the launch of its massive Starship rocket on its 13th test flight, targeting July 16. A 90-minute launch window is set to open at 6:45 p.m. EDT (2245 GMT). Booster 20, the Super Heavy first stage, has been returned to pad 2 at the Starbase facility in Texas. Ship 40, the upper stage, was stacked overnight with the booster. This marks a significant milestone as the rocket is now fully assembled and ready for potential liftoff.

The upcoming launch, Flight 13, is crucial for testing the vehicle's capabilities and is expected to deploy SpaceX's first batch of upgraded Starlink Version 3 satellites. This flight follows a series of tests and preparations, including engine tests. The mission profile is anticipated to be similar to the previous Flight 12, which marked the debut of the Starship 'Version 3' design. Live coverage of the launch will be available on Space.com and SpaceX's platforms.