Elon Musk reposted
X Freeze
@XFreeze
For the first time, Starship will carry 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites to space
Starlink V3 is designed to massively expand the network’s capacity and increase user speeds
After deployment, the test satellites will:
• Extend their solar arrays and antennas
• Attempt to connect with ground stations in South Africa
• Establish links with the wider Starlink constellation using high-capacity lasers
The satellites will follow the same suborbital trajectory as Starship, meaning they will not remain in orbit and are expected to reenter the atmosphere later in the mission
But the most interesting part is how Starlink will help inspect Starship
Six of the satellites have been modified with cameras designed to scan Starship’s heat shield and transmit the imagery back to SpaceX operators
Several heat-shield tiles have even been painted white to simulate missing tiles and provide clear imaging targets
The goal is to continue testing methods of analyzing Starship’s heat shield readiness for return to launch site on future missions
Starship launches Starlink
Starlink helps inspect Starship
The entire SpaceX ecosystem is starting to compound on itself
05:30 PM · July 12, 2026 · 268.6K views
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