SpaceX Full-Stacked Starship Flight 13 Again after Weird B20 Test! Can it Make History TODAY…

Are you ready for liftoff? Because both stages of Starship Flight 13 are finally back at the launch pad and fully stacked. The booster has completed its final round of testing before a major engine replacement campaign. But even with that milestone complete, there are still several important updates you need to know before launch. Meanwhile, SpaceX has launched a groundbreaking spacecraft designed to repair and extend the lives of satellites already in orbit. And Relativity Space is making a major investment to accelerate development of its reusable Terran R rocket. Let's dive into all of it on today's episode of Great SpaceX to find out more. We are now entering the final stretch before Flight 13. This isn't just another Starship launch, it's one of the most technically ambitious flights SpaceX has attempted. From upgraded heat shield experiments and real payload deployment to in-space engine relights and more demanding flight conditions, Flight 13 is packed with critical objectives that could shape every Starship mission that follows. That makes every milestone leading up to launch worth watching. If you enjoy following Starship's journey from testing to history-making flights, be sure to subscribe if you haven't already. We bring you the latest SpaceX and aerospace news every day, and with Flight 13 just around the corner, now is the perfect time to join our community. Now let's begin with the latest countdown activities. After the dramatic launch aboard on July 16th, SpaceX wasted no time returning both B-20 and S-40 to the production site. Engineers carried out extensive inspections while B-20 underwent what appears to have been a major engine replacement campaign. Once that work was complete, the road closure schedule hinted that rollout was imminent. Right on cue, B-20 began its journey back to the launch site on the evening of 21st. We covered that rollout in detail in our previous episode, so if you missed it, be sure to check it out after finishing this video. The trip itself lasted roughly three hours before the massive booster arrived at the launch pad around 10pm. Soon afterward, Mechazill's giant chopsticks carefully lifted the booster and placed it onto the OLM, marking another major milestone in the road to Flight 13. Interestingly, many observers immediately focused on the engines. Musk previously said that only two Raptors had been replaced following the aborted launch attempt. Eagle-eyed members of the Starship community noticed visible differences between several engine nozzles, leading some to believe that more than 10 engines may actually have been swapped. Whether that's true remains unclear. We'll likely have to wait for an official SpaceX update or details revealed during the launch livestream to know more. In the previous episode, I mentioned that the road closure on the 22nd strongly suggested another major booster test. And that's exactly what happened. Around midday on the 22nd, B-20 underwent additional preflight testing. Coincidentally, this took place just as B-21 returned from MASSES after completing its cryogenic test campaign. We'll continue following B-21 as preparations for Flight 14 ramp up. For now though, the focus remains on B-20. During its latest test, SpaceX loaded propellants once again. Frost patterns indicated the liquid oxygen tank was fully loaded, while the methane tank was only partially filled. Liquid oxygen loading continued for roughly 30 minutes, confirming the propellant systems were functioning properly after the recent engine replacements. Interestingly, the test never progressed to a static fire and the engines never ignited. That suggested it was either a cryogenic proof test or possibly a spin prime test if propellant reached the engines without ignition. At first glance, skipping a static fire may seem surprising. But SpaceX's own statement suggests the company was satisfied with the results. Shortly afterward, it posted on X additional preflight testing on Super Heavy complete. The wording is significant. It may indicate that SpaceX was confident enough in the replacement engines that another full-duration static fire simply wasn't necessary. After all, replacement Raptors are typically acceptance tested before arriving at Starbase. If engineers were satisfied with the installation and the systems, a cryogenic verification may have been all that remained. With B-20 cleared, attention immediately shifted to S-40. Road closure notices from the production site to the launch pad were scheduled from 12.30pm until 4.30pm on the 22nd. Notice the timing. Those road closures began only after B-20's testing had concluded. That matched the sequence many expected. Booster testing generates enormous acoustic energy and vibrations around the launch complex. Whether it's a cryogenic test or a static fire, nearby hardware, including the Starship upper stage, must remain clear of the area. Transport stands, cranes, and other support equipment are also removed during these operations. Once B-20's testing was complete, S-40 rolled to the launch site later that afternoon. The trip took about two hours, slightly faster than the booster rollout. After arriving, Mechazilla secured the vehicle, lifted it into the air, and carefully stacked it atop B-20. Just like that, Flight 13 was fully assembled once again. It marked the second time these two vehicles had been paired together, and perhaps the final major milestone before launch. By the time stacking was complete, the countdown had entered its final 24 hours. At this stage, no additional major vehicle tests are expected. Instead, engineers will focus on inspections, software verification, fueling preparations, and final launch readiness checks. SpaceX confirmed this by posting, Now starting preparations to launch Starship as soon as tomorrow, Thursday, July 23rd. As of now, the target launch time remains 5.45pm Central Time. However, before anyone heads to Starbase, there's still one important factor that could affect the schedule. The weather. As we've discussed previously, a storm system moving inland from the Gulf continues to be monitored closely. Forecasts suggest it shouldn't pass directly over Starbase. Even so, associated weather conditions, including gusty winds, rain showers, low clouds, and fog, could still impact launch operations or reduce visibility during key portions of the mission. That's why SpaceX continues to describe weather as a significant watch item heading into launch day. Hopefully, both the technical side and Mother Nature cooperate. With the vehicle fully stacked once again, let's hope there are no further surprises and that Flight 13 finally gets its chance to fly. If you're excited, leave a comment saying, Best Wishes F-13. Now let's shift our attention to another fascinating SpaceX mission that has just reached orbit. On the 21st, at 5.15pm Eastern, a Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying one of the most unique satellite servicing missions ever attempted. SpaceX refers to the mission as MRV-MEP. Onboard were the Mission Robotic Vehicle, or MRV, and three Mission Extension Pods, known as MEPs. These spacecraft will be operated by Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman that specializes in satellite servicing and life extension technologies. The launch proceeded flawlessly. About 35.5 minutes after liftoff, Falcon 9's upper stage deployed the Mission Robotic Vehicle. The three Mission Extension Pods followed one by one at roughly 10 minute intervals. Their destination is geostationary orbit, nearly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. Satellites and GEO remain fixed over the same point on Earth's surface, making it one of the most valuable orbital regions for communications, weather forecasting, military surveillance, and television broadcasting. Rather than launching new satellites, this mission is designed to extend the lives of satellites already operating there. The Mission Robotic Vehicle carries two robotic arms, each about three meters long. Developed through a collaboration between DARPA and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, these arms will retrieve each Mission Extension Pod and attach it directly to aging satellites. Think of the pods as orbital jetpacks. Each one provides electric propulsion, attitude control, and momentum management, allowing older satellites to operate for up to eight additional years. After installing all three pods, the Mission Robotic Vehicle won't retire. Instead, it will remain in geostationary orbit, ready to service additional spacecraft in the future. But that's only part of its capabilities. According to Northrop Grumman, MRV can also inspect satellites, relocate them, perform repairs, upgrade systems, and even refuel itself in orbit thanks to its passive refueling module. That refueling interface has already been approved by the U.S. Space Force as the first standardized orbital refueling system. Together, these technologies mark a major step toward a future where satellites are no longer treated as disposable hardware, but as serviceable, upgradable infrastructure. It's another example of how reusable technologies are transforming not just rockets, but spacecraft as well. Now let's wrap up with another company quietly building momentum. Relativity Space has announced a major expansion centered on its reusable Terran-R rocket. The company has reached an agreement with Space Florida to build new manufacturing and testing facilities along Florida's space coast. Announced on the 21st, the deal includes state support for a new Terran-R production facility near Cape Canaveral. Relativity also plans to expand its testing operations and launch infrastructure at both Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Those upgrades could receive up to $134 million through Florida's Spaceport Improvement Program. Relativity CEO Eric Schmidt said the expansion will allow the company to scale Terran-R production for commercial, scientific, and national security missions. Although the factory's location hasn't been announced, Space Florida estimates the investment could create thousands of high-paying aerospace jobs by the end of 2034. Terran-R is a reusable medium-lift rocket that will launch from Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral. While Relativity has not announced a maiden flight date, development continues to accelerate. The company recently secured a place in the U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch Phase III Lane 1 program, allowing it to compete for future government launch contracts. A Florida production facility also solves a major logistical challenge. Earlier this year, Relativity transported a Terran-R second stage from California to NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi by sea through the Panama Canal for testing. The lengthy journey highlighted how difficult it is to move large rocket hardware across the country. Building much closer to the launch site should greatly simplify those operations. Florida officials welcomed the announcement. Space Florida President Rob Long called Relativity exactly the kind of partner needed to strengthen Florida's position as the global center of commercial spaceflight. He said Florida's infrastructure, workforce, and long-term strategy make it the natural home for expanding launch companies. Still, this rapid growth brings new challenges. A recent NASA Office of Inspector General report warned that Kennedy Space Center could reach infrastructure capacity by 2029 if growth continues at its current pace. NASA officials have acknowledged that many facilities were built for a very different era of spaceflight. Keeping up will require continued public and private investment not just in launch pads but also roads, utilities, bridges, fuel infrastructure, and transportation systems. As SpaceX Florida VP Mike Miller put it, Before we can talk about everything happening in space, we first have to make sure rockets can actually get off the ground. It's another reminder that today's space race isn't just about building better rockets. It's also about building the infrastructure to support an entire industry. And that's exactly what's taking shape across Florida today. Now, let's see what Relativity Space can accomplish as Terran R moves one step closer to its long-awaited debut. And that brings us to the end of today's episode. Thank you so much for tuning in. As always, this has been Kevin from GreatSpaceX, and until next time, keep looking up!