LOS ANGELES, July 24 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX launched the 13th flight test of its giant Starship rocket on Friday.
Starship lifted off from the company's Starbase facility in the U.S. state of Texas at about 5:52 p.m. Central Time. Shortly after launch, SpaceX confirmed stage separation. The Super Heavy booster splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico as scheduled, according to SpaceX.
The Starship upper stage completed its ascent burn and was coasting through space. It later deployed 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. SpaceX said the flight test would provide critical data as it prepares to expand the Starlink constellation.
The upper stage is scheduled to relight a single Raptor engine while in space and conduct a controlled reentry, descent and splashdown in the Indian Ocean, according to SpaceX.
The mission aims to continue testing the upgraded Version 3 Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, which made their debut during the previous flight test in May. ■