Elon Musk to intentionally crash 20 brand-new Starlink satellites. Here's why
SpaceX plans to deploy 20 Starlink V3 satellites during Starship Flight 13 before they burn up on re-entry.
SpaceX is preparing for one of the most ambitious Starship test flights yet, and it includes a plan that sounds surprising.
The company will intentionally send 20 brand-new Starlink satellites to their destruction just minutes after deploying them in space.
The mission, scheduled to launch as early as July 17, will be the 13th integrated flight test of the Starship-Super Heavy launch system. While previous missions focused on proving the rocket's launch and landing capabilities, Flight 13 will attempt several firsts, including the first-ever deployment of next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.
Unlike operational Starlink missions, however, these satellites are not meant to remain in orbit.
After Starship reaches a suborbital trajectory, it will release 20 Starlink V3 satellites. The satellites will deploy their solar arrays and communication antennas before attempting to establish high-speed laser links with the existing Starlink constellation.
But because the mission is flying on a suborbital path rather than an orbital one, both Starship and the satellites will follow the same trajectory back toward Earth. Around 20 minutes after deployment, the satellites are expected to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
The deliberate destruction is part of SpaceX's testing strategy.
Before entrusting Starship with commercial satellite launches, the company wants to demonstrate that the spacecraft can safely deploy payloads in space and verify that the new Starlink V3 satellites function as expected.
Engineers will assess whether the satellites successfully deploy their solar panels, activate onboard systems, unfold communication antennas and establish laser communication links in space.
The mission is also packed with other critical tests. SpaceX will attempt to restart a Raptor engine in space, a capability required for future orbital missions, lunar landings and eventually missions to Mars.
Six of the 20 Starlink satellites will carry special cameras to photograph Starship's heat shield during flight. The images will help engineers evaluate the spacecraft's thermal protection system, including new heat shield tiles and attachment methods designed for future reusable missions.
If successful, Flight 13 will mark another major milestone in SpaceX's quest to make Starship a fully reusable launch vehicle capable of carrying satellites, astronauts and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon and eventually Mars.
Rather than wasting 20 satellites, SpaceX views the mission as an investment in validating technologies that will underpin its future commercial launches and deep-space ambitions.
SpaceX is preparing for one of the most ambitious Starship test flights yet, and it includes a plan that sounds surprising.
The company will intentionally send 20 brand-new Starlink satellites to their destruction just minutes after deploying them in space.
The mission, scheduled to launch as early as July 17, will be the 13th integrated flight test of the Starship-Super Heavy launch system. While previous missions focused on proving the rocket's launch and landing capabilities, Flight 13 will attempt several firsts, including the first-ever deployment of next-generation Starlink V3 satellites.
Unlike operational Starlink missions, however, these satellites are not meant to remain in orbit.
After Starship reaches a suborbital trajectory, it will release 20 Starlink V3 satellites. The satellites will deploy their solar arrays and communication antennas before attempting to establish high-speed laser links with the existing Starlink constellation.
But because the mission is flying on a suborbital path rather than an orbital one, both Starship and the satellites will follow the same trajectory back toward Earth. Around 20 minutes after deployment, the satellites are expected to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.
The deliberate destruction is part of SpaceX's testing strategy.
Before entrusting Starship with commercial satellite launches, the company wants to demonstrate that the spacecraft can safely deploy payloads in space and verify that the new Starlink V3 satellites function as expected.
Engineers will assess whether the satellites successfully deploy their solar panels, activate onboard systems, unfold communication antennas and establish laser communication links in space.
The mission is also packed with other critical tests. SpaceX will attempt to restart a Raptor engine in space, a capability required for future orbital missions, lunar landings and eventually missions to Mars.
Six of the 20 Starlink satellites will carry special cameras to photograph Starship's heat shield during flight. The images will help engineers evaluate the spacecraft's thermal protection system, including new heat shield tiles and attachment methods designed for future reusable missions.
If successful, Flight 13 will mark another major milestone in SpaceX's quest to make Starship a fully reusable launch vehicle capable of carrying satellites, astronauts and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon and eventually Mars.
Rather than wasting 20 satellites, SpaceX views the mission as an investment in validating technologies that will underpin its future commercial launches and deep-space ambitions.
