SpaceX Targets Thursday for Starship’s 13th Test Flight After Last-Minute Abort

TLDR

• SpaceX is targeting Thursday, July 23 for Starship’s 13th test flight after the July 16 launch was aborted seconds before liftoff
• The abort was caused by engine startup failures; SpaceX has since updated the propulsion system
• The failed launch wiped around $100 billion from SpaceX’s market value
• SpaceX has lost roughly $1 trillion in market cap since peaking at $2.64 trillion after its June IPO
• The mission will carry 20 Starlink satellites to test deployment and laser communication technology

---

SpaceX is planning to launch Starship for its 13th test flight on Thursday, July 23. This comes after the previous attempt on July 16 was called off in the final seconds of the countdown.

Now targeting to launch Starship’s thirteenth flight test as early as Thursday, July 23 → https://t.co/Rp7VwBzpWx pic.twitter.com/Y0YNzfc5zk

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 19, 2026

The abort happened because some of the rocket’s engines failed to ignite. It was not the first time Starship has had engine trouble — the 12th test flight also experienced engine issues and triggered a Federal Aviation Administration investigation.

Propulsion System Gets an Upgrade

Following the failed attempt, SpaceX said it made changes to both hardware and software on the propulsion system. The company stated these updates are aimed at fixing the engine problem that caused the July 16 countdown to be halted.

Elon Musk initially posted on X that the next launch would happen on Friday before correcting himself, saying “I mean Thursday.” SpaceX’s official announcement confirmed the Thursday date.

The July 16 abort alone cost SpaceX around $100 billion in market value. Since hitting a peak of $2.64 trillion shortly after its June IPO, the company has shed roughly $1 trillion in total market value.

What the Mission Will Test

Starship is SpaceX’s largest and most powerful rocket. The 13th flight will carry 20 Starlink V3 satellites and is designed to test the rocket’s satellite deployment capabilities along with Starlink’s laser communication technology.

The satellites are not expected to reach orbit. They will follow a suborbital path and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere after being deployed.

The primary goals for the flight are a successful launch, ascent, stage separation, boostback burn, and landing burn at an offshore location.

SpaceX has been running Starship test flights since 2023 and has completed 12 so far. The program is part of an estimated $15 billion development effort and has a track record of mixing engineering advances with high-profile setbacks.

According to SpaceX’s IPO prospectus, the company plans to start placing Starlink satellites into orbit using Starship before the end of the year. Regular operational missions are expected to follow after that milestone is reached.

The 13th flight is also SpaceX’s first test since its public market debut in June, making the outcome closely watched by investors.