SpaceX Completes Thirteenth Starship Test Flight Demonstrating Booster Splashdown and Data Transmission

Starship lifted off for its 13th test flight, the megarocket igniting its engines and ascending from the launch pad as reported by Spaceflight Now and captured in live video streams, reaching suborbital altitude before beginning its planned trajectory.

Booster separated from the upper stage and later splashed down in the ocean, with recovery teams tracking its descent, confirming a successful water landing as highlighted in YouTube coverage, and transmitting telemetry data back to mission control throughout the descent.

Mission officials said the flight tested critical propulsion and aerodynamic systems, marking another step toward SpaceX’s goal of a fully reusable launch vehicle, according to statements released after the flight, and evaluated heat shield performance during re‑entry, a key milestone for future orbital missions.

Media outlets including Space.com, Ars Technica and Reuters published brief summaries, noting the 13th flight’s significance in the company’s schedule and its impact on future satellite deployment plans, and highlighting that the flight aligns with SpaceX’s broader schedule to increase launch cadence for its Starlink constellation.