The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared SpaceX for its 13th Starship test flight. A potential launch window opens as early as July 16. This approval follows an investigation into a booster failure during the May 2026 flight. The upcoming mission will deploy 20 next-generation V3 Starlink satellites for the first time.
Iranian state media declared SpaceX’s Starlink ground infrastructure in the Middle East a potential military target. Tehran cited the service’s alleged role in foreign military operations and its circumvention of state internet controls. These threats introduce significant new risks to the company’s global operations.