SpaceX launches its Starship rocket from Texas on Friday for its 13th test flight, after the mission is rescheduled twice earlier in the month. Multiple outlets report that the Super Heavy first-stage booster lifts off and sends the Starship upper stage onto a suborbital trajectory rather than aiming for orbital insertion in this test. The flight is described as a demonstration of onboard systems and capabilities.
NDTV and other reports say the mission includes deployments of Starlink satellites during the flight. NDTV and PerthNow/The West Australian note that Starship performs first suborbital deployments of new Starlink satellites. Mint adds that the rocket briefly deploys 20 upgraded Starlink internet satellites into suborbital space.
Across the coverage, the launch timing, the location in Texas, and the focus on onboard testing and suborbital deployment of Starlink satellites are consistent. The reports do not indicate a successful orbital mission from this specific test flight, and they describe the flight primarily as a systems and deployment demonstration.
