SpaceX Starship Flight 13 aborted, targets July 20
Post-ignition anomaly caused abort; two Raptors to be replaced before next attempt.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
SpaceX Starship Flight 13 aborted, targets July 20 — Sunday, July 19, 2026
Starship Flight 13 aborted at T-0 on July 16 with new target July 20; NASA awards contracts for 41 lunar/Mars tech projects. Recent space activity centers on SpaceX’s upcoming Starship test and defense-focused space initiatives, alongside ISRO’s plan to ramp up launch frequency in the coming fiscal year.
Biggest developments
Japan launches RV-X prototype
RV-X prototype launch and landing reported in July 17 archive.
NASA selects 41 space technologies for Moon and Mars
Nearly $600 million awarded for commercial Moon landings planned for late 2028.
Bullish takes
- Starship recovery and rapid iteration continuing despite abort
- SpaceX continues to expand its launch cadence and defense-related space contracts, signaling strong growth in commercial and military space infrastructure demand.
Critical takes
- Engine ignition issues delay Flight 13
- ISRO's ambitious launch schedule for FY27 may face technical or logistical constraints if launch vehicle readiness or ground infrastructure does not scale accordingly.
Why this matters
Accelerates commercial lunar tech and Starship test cadence toward operational flights.