SpaceX’s Starship to deploy mock satellites in next test

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Elon Musk’s SpaceX on Friday said its upcoming Starship test flight will include the rocket’s first attempt to deploy payloads in space by releasing ten model Starlink satellites, a key demonstration for Starship’s potential in the satellite launch market.

“While in space, Starship will deploy 10 Starlink simulators, similar in size and weight to next-generation Starlink satellites as the first exercise of a satellite deploy mission,” SpaceX said in a blog post on its website.

The Starship flight from SpaceX’s sprawling Boca Chica, Texas facilities, tentatively planned for later this month, will mark the seventh demonstration in a test-to-failure style of rocket development where the company tests new upgrades with each flight.