SpaceX It is significantly ramping up its Starship test flight program, and the next rocket launch is expected to demonstrate power deployment for the first time.
At issue is the Starlink “simulator” that SpaceX plans to use Starship, which will be the same size as the next generation of satellites. The model spacecraft will follow the same path as the upper stage, also known as the Starship, and will be dropped into the Indian Ocean.
The operational version of those satellites, called V3, is likely to be the first real payload of Starship flights. Indeed, Bringing Starship online is a prelude to SpaceX's plans to deploy its Starlink satellite constellation more quickly and lower satellite launch costs. SpaceX currently launches Starlink using its partner's four-horsepower Falcon 9 rocket, but the next-generation V3 satellites are expected to be heavier than the current V2 Mini spacecraft. Because of Starship's incredible payload capacity, SpaceX plans to deploy 60 V3 satellites per Starship launch, adding 60 terabits per second capacity to the Starlink network.
That's more than 10 times the downlink capacity per satellite and 24 times the uplink capacity compared to V2 Mini satellites.
in the A blog post The company said it is also introducing some rocket upgrades ahead of the seventh test launch, expected later this month. These include the propulsion system; SpaceX says improvements to the avionics and heat shield will improve reliability and performance. During this test, SpaceX will attempt to “catch” the company's breakthrough Super Heavy booster. It was the first time during the fifth Test in October.