SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) is planning to make another attempt to launch its Starship rocket on Thursday, July 23, after the previous test flight was halted moments before liftoff.
The updated schedule was confirmed by the company on Sunday. Earlier, SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk had posted on X that the next launch would take place on Friday before later correcting himself by replying, “I mean Thursday,” bringing his comments in line with the company’s official announcement.
Starship receives propulsion system upgrades
The latest launch attempt follows the July 16 mission, when Starship’s 13th flight test was aborted in the final seconds before launch from the company’s Texas facility. The setback reportedly wiped around $100 billion from SpaceX’s market value.
Following the incident, SpaceX said it had updated Starship’s propulsion system to resolve the engine issue that caused the previous countdown to be called off.
Delays remain a common feature of the company’s estimated $15 billion Starship development programme, which has become known for combining rapid engineering progress with high-profile test failures.
The company had previously announced plans to launch on July 20 before revising the schedule.
Mission will test Starlink satellite deployment
Since 2023, SpaceX has completed 12 Starship flight tests as it continues developing the world’s largest launch vehicle.
The upcoming 13th test flight will carry 20 Starlink satellites to demonstrate the rocket’s satellite deployment capabilities as well as Starlink’s laser communication technology. However, the satellites are expected to remain on a suborbital flight path and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere shortly after deployment.
According to its prospectus, SpaceX plans to begin placing Starlink satellites into orbit using Starship before the end of the year, with regular operational missions expected to follow.
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