SpaceX fires up all 6 of Starship's engines ahead of 13th test flight (video)

space.com Jul 3, 2026

SpaceX fires up all 6 of Starship’s engines ahead of 13th test flight (video)

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 3, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft, Ship 40, underwent a static-fire test of all six Raptor engines at the company's Massey site in Starbase, Texas. The test, which lasted a full minute, simulated flight-like conditions on the vehicle. This is a crucial step ahead of the 13th test flight of a fully stacked Starship, which is expected to occur within the next month. The test is a significant milestone for SpaceX's Starship program, which aims to develop a super-heavy lift rocket capable of seamless landing and reuse.

💡 Why It Matters

· The success of this engine test puts SpaceX one step closer to achieving its ambitious plans for Starship, including expanding its Starlink satellite-internet network and landing NASA astronauts on the moon as part of the Artemis program.

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Polish space tech company Sybilla Technologies secures funds to enter U.S. market

Polish space tech company Sybilla Technologies has secured a 35 million zloty ($10 million) investment from BGK and 3TS Capital Partners to expand its global footprint. The company, which already serves the European Space Agency and several national space agencies, aims to enter the US market and double its fleet of optical sensors to 100 by the end of the year. Sybilla Technologies operates a network of 50 sensors across six continents, supplying data to clients and supporting the development of the PIAST satellite constellation for the Polish Ministry of National Defense.

💡 The investment in Sybilla Technologies underscores the growing demand for space situational awareness, a strategic imperative for security, sovereignty, and commercial operations in a congested and contested space environment. By expanding its global footprint, Sybilla Technologies is poised to become a key player in the European space industry, providing independent access to reliable space data for national space agencies and defense organizations.

timesnownews.com · Jul 3

Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Mission Aagaman Set For Historic Launch: Check Timeline, Mission Details

Skyroot Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based private space company, is set to launch its Vikram-1 rocket, India's first privately developed orbital-class launch vehicle, as part of the Aagaman mission. The launch window is between July 12 and August 4, subject to weather conditions and final clearances. The mission aims to demonstrate India's capabilities in commercial space ambitions and marks a significant milestone for the country's private space industry. The Vikram-1 rocket will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, once all necessary preparations are complete.

💡 This launch marks a crucial step towards India's commercial space independence, as it showcases the capabilities of a privately developed launch vehicle. The success of Aagaman will pave the way for more private space companies to enter the market, driving innovation and reducing reliance on government-led space programs.

deccanherald.com · Jul 3

‘Vikram-1’, India’s first private space rocket to be launched within a month…

India's first private sector orbital class rocket, Vikram-1, is set to launch between July 12 and August 4 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. Designed to carry small satellites weighing up to 350 kg to Low Earth Orbit, the rocket's maiden mission will target an orbit at an altitude of 450 km. The launch marks a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace, which has raised $60 million and become India's first spacetech unicorn. The mission aims to gather critical data to help the company grow into a commercial launch company.

💡 The success of Vikram-1 will demonstrate India's growing capabilities in space technology, potentially paving the way for the country to increase its share of the global space economy from 2% to 8% by 2035.

spacenews.com · Jul 3

Isar Aerospace to launch German-built Planet imaging satellite

Isar Aerospace has secured a contract with Planet Labs Germany to launch a high-resolution imaging satellite, Pelican, on a Spectrum rocket. The launch is expected to take place in the next year, possibly as late as 2026, from Andøya Spaceport in Norway. This marks a significant milestone for German space capabilities, as both the satellite and rocket are built domestically. The contract is part of a broader push in Germany and Europe to develop sovereign space capabilities, with the German government investing 35 billion euros in military space over the next five years.

💡 The success of this launch demonstrates Germany's growing ability to develop and launch its own space capabilities, aligning with the country's ambitious space agenda. This achievement underscores the strategic importance of the German and European space ecosystem, positioning the region to leverage its space capabilities for security and economic growth.

techcrunch.com · Jul 3

Private space pilots are flying orbital missions for the US Space Force

The US Space Force has partnered with private space startups True Anomaly and Rocket Lab to conduct a complex orbital mission. The mission, dubbed Victus Haze, involved a rendezvous between two satellites in orbit, with one capturing imagery of the other. This exercise demonstrated the ability to inspect a space vehicle soon after it arrived in orbit, a crucial capability in a world where novel space weapons are being deployed. The mission was completed in a short timeframe, with Rocket Lab launching a spacecraft just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving notice. The success of this mission highlights the potential for private companies to handle reconnaissance missions for the US military, addressing gaps in current collection capabilities. The mission's complexity and speed are notable, with the companies prepared to perform new exercises in the weeks ahead.

💡 By demonstrating advanced reconnaissance capabilities, True Anomaly and Rocket Lab are poised to compete for lucrative task orders, particularly in the Space Force's Andromeda program. Successful completion of such missions can establish a company's credibility and increase its chances of securing future contracts.

space.com · Jul 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 24 Starlink satellites from California

SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites from California on Wednesday evening using a Falcon 9 rocket, expanding its network. The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:58 p.m. EDT and deployed the satellites in low Earth orbit about an hour later. The Falcon 9's first stage completed its seventh flight and landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. The launch brings the total number of active Starlink satellites to over 10,700, supporting global connectivity and other services. This was SpaceX's 79th Falcon 9 liftoff of the year, marking a significant milestone for the company.

💡 SpaceX's growing Starlink constellation strengthens its position in the global satellite internet market. Reusability of the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage reduces launch costs and increases efficiency.