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SpaceX launches new V3 Starlink satellites but suffers another booster failure

SpaceX successfully deployed the first third-generation Starlink satellites on Friday using an upgraded version of its prototype Starship, but suffered another failure with its Super Heavy booster during a planned simulated landing in the Gulf of Mexico.

By Sean O'Kane·Jul 24·techcrunch.com·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

SpaceX launches new V3 Starlink satellites but suffers another booster failure
Image: techcrunch.com

SpaceX's Starship V3 successfully deployed new Starlink satellites, but its Super Heavy booster failed during a simulated landing, marking the second time the company has had an issue with the booster on this version of Starship.

Why it matters

The failure of SpaceX's Super Heavy booster is a setback for the company's Starship program, which is crucial for its space internet network, Starlink.

Imagine you're building a really big rocket to send satellites into space. You want the rocket to be able to come back to Earth and be used again, like a reusable toy. But, sometimes, the rocket doesn't work as planned, and it fails. That's what happened to SpaceX's rocket during a test flight. The rocket was able to send the satellites into space, but it didn't work properly when it tried to come back to Earth. This is a setback for SpaceX, but it's not the end of the world. The company will learn from this failure and try again.

Analysis

A $60B Vote of Confidence

SpaceX's successful deployment of the first third-generation Starlink satellites on Friday using an upgraded version of its prototype Starship is a significant milestone for the company's space internet network, Starlink. The new satellites, which were launched on the 13th test flight of the Starship mega-rocket, are more capable than their predecessors and will improve the economics of the company's capital-hungry space internet network. However, the failure of the Super Heavy booster during a planned simulated landing in the Gulf of Mexico is a setback for the company's Starship program, which is crucial for Starlink's success. The booster failure is the second time the company has had an issue with the Super Heavy booster on this version of Starship, following a failure in May. Despite the setback, SpaceX's stock has remained relatively stable, with the company's shares falling by only 2% in after-hours trading following the booster failure. The company's 'fly, fail, fix' approach to Starship development, which involves testing and iterating on the rocket's design, has been successful in the past, and it is likely that the company will learn from this failure and continue to improve its Starship program.

Why Cursor?

The failure of the Super Heavy booster during the simulated landing is a significant concern for SpaceX, as it highlights the challenges the company faces in developing a reusable rocket. The Super Heavy booster is a critical component of the Starship program, and its failure during the simulated landing is a setback for the company's plans to launch 60 of the new Starlink satellites on Starship. However, the company's ability to communicate with all of the Starlink satellites while they were in space is a significant step forward for the program, and it suggests that the company is making progress in developing its space internet network.

The Road Ahead

The failure of the Super Heavy booster during the simulated landing is a reminder that developing a reusable rocket is a complex and challenging task. However, SpaceX's experience and expertise in developing reusable rockets, as well as its 'fly, fail, fix' approach to testing and iterating on the rocket's design, suggest that the company will learn from this failure and continue to improve its Starship program. The company's plans to launch 60 of the new Starlink satellites on Starship are ambitious, but they are also crucial for the success of the Starlink program. With the company's experience and expertise, as well as its 'fly, fail, fix' approach, it is likely that SpaceX will overcome the challenges it faces in developing a reusable rocket and continue to make progress in its Starship program.

Key points

  • SpaceX successfully deployed the first third-generation Starlink satellites on Friday using an upgraded version of its prototype Starship.
  • The company suffered another failure with its Super Heavy booster during a planned simulated landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The failure of the Super Heavy booster is a setback for the company's Starship program, which is crucial for its space internet network, Starlink.
  • SpaceX's ability to communicate with all of the Starlink satellites while they were in space is a significant step forward for the program.
  • The company's plans to launch 60 of the new Starlink satellites on Starship are ambitious, but they are also crucial for the success of the Starlink program.
The Upside

Despite the setback, SpaceX's experience and expertise in developing reusable rockets, as well as its 'fly, fail, fix' approach to testing and iterating on the rocket's design, suggest that the company will learn from this failure and continue to improve its Starship program. The company's plans to launch 60 of the new Starlink satellites on Starship are ambitious, but they are also crucial for the success of the Starlink program. With the company's experience and expertise, as well as its 'fly, fail, fix' approach, it is likely that SpaceX will overcome the challenges it faces in developing a reusable rocket and continue to make progress in its Starship program.

The Downside

The failure of the Super Heavy booster during the simulated landing is a significant concern for SpaceX, as it highlights the challenges the company faces in developing a reusable rocket. The Super Heavy booster is a critical component of the Starship program, and its failure during the simulated landing is a setback for the company's plans to launch 60 of the new Starlink satellites on Starship. If the company is unable to overcome the challenges it faces in developing a reusable rocket, it could impact the success of the Starlink program.

Originally reported at

techcrunch.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsspacespacexstarshiptransportation

Author

Sean O'Kane

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 24, 2026

Source

techcrunch.com

Share

Topics

spacespacexstarshiptransportation

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