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What happened during SpaceX's 13th Starship test? First upgraded Starlinks successfully deployed
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Fusion42 · 26 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
SpaceX deployed its first 20 upgraded Starlink V3 satellites during Starship's 13th test flight, demonstrating higher-capacity internet service and progress toward reusable rocket operations. The company plans to launch regular Starlink service by end of 2026 and aims to expand orbital capacity for direct-to-phone connectivity.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Space Tech, and 16 sources have reported it between 20 Jul 2026 and 5 Aug 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
If you're building consumer connectivity outside urban networks—rural broadband, maritime, aviation—SpaceX just proved the satellite link works. The capacity now exists; the next two years are about who wins the application layer on top of it.
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16 sources · first reported 20 Jul 2026 · latest 5 Aug 2026
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