What's the story SpaceX is about to take its Starship test flight program to the next level by showcasing payload deployment for the first time. The next rocket launch will be carrying 10 Starlink "simulators," which are designed to mimic the size and weight of SpaceX's satellites. These models will follow the same path as the upper stage of Starship, before landing in the Indian Ocean. Strategic shift Starship's role in future satellite deployment The operational version of mock satellites, called V3, will likely be the first real payloads Starship carries. Starship's integration is critical to SpaceX's plan of speeding up the deployment of its Starlink satellite constellation and reducing launch costs. At present, SpaceX relies on its trusty Falcon 9 rocket to launch Starlink satellites (V2 Mini) but intends to switch to the heavier next-gen V3 satellites with Starship because of its better payload capacity. Network expansion