SpaceX Launches New Starlink V3 Satellites for First Time

On Friday, SpaceX successfully conducted the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket. Launching from the Starbase site in Texas, the rocket carried 20 next-generation V3 Starlink satellites into suborbital space, where they briefly connected to the existing network before burning up in the atmosphere as planned.

The approximately one-hour mission tested a new version of the rocket, which is central to the company's plans to expand the Starlink satellite internet network, support future NASA missions to the Moon and launch satellites designed to handle artificial intelligence tasks.

Upon re-entry, Starship successfully tested its heat shield and landed in the Indian Ocean, simulating a future landing on solid ground.

The Super Heavy booster fared less well. Its five engines failed to reignite during deceleration, causing it to splash down in the Gulf of Mexico at a higher speed than SpaceX had planned.

The company aims to begin routine Starship operations by the end of the year. By the end of 2026, it plans to use Starlink V3 satellites to enable direct satellite connectivity for regular cell phones outside cellular network coverage.

(Reuters, EST)