SpaceX is preparing for its next Starship test flight on Thursday after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), clearing the way for another milestone in the company’s effort to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars.
The mission, known as Starship Flight 13, is scheduled to launch from SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, during a 90-minute launch window that opens at 5:30 p.m. CDT (6:30 p.m. EDT), although launch schedules remain subject to change.
The mission is also expected to carry a new batch of Starlink satellites, supporting the continued expansion of SpaceX’s global satellite internet network. Starship is expected to play an increasingly important role in deploying larger next-generation satellites and supporting future commercial space operations.
NASA has selected a version of Starship as the lunar lander for its Artemis program, making the rocket a key part of future missions intended to return astronauts to the Moon. Each successful test flight brings SpaceX closer to supporting both commercial launches and long-term human exploration beyond Earth.
