Starship’s 7th flight test will deploy Starlink simulators Super Heavy booster aims for a catch or splashdown in Gulf Flight enhancements for payload capacity and flight performance Advertisement SpaceX's Starship is set to conduct its seventh flight test, marking another step in the company's push for fully reusable space launch systems. The test is scheduled for January 10 at 3:30 a.m. IST from SpaceX's Starbase Orbital Launch Pad A in Boca Chica, Texas. The 97-minute launch window extends until 5:07 a.m. IST, with backup opportunities available until January 16. For the first time, the spacecraft will attempt to deploy simulated Starlink satellites, a significant milestone in its development trajectory. Payload Deployment to Be Tested with Starlink Simulators According to a statement by SpaceX, as reported by space.com, the flight will involve the deployment of 10 Starlink simulators to evaluate Starship's capability to release active next-generation satellites in future missions. The simulators, traveling on a suborbital trajectory alongside the Starship upper stage, are expected to splash down in the Indian Ocean. This mission aims to demonstrate Starship's ability to carry and deploy heavier, more advanced payloads in the future. Upgrades Introduced to Enhance Flight Performance Several design changes have been introduced for this test. The flaps on the upper stage of Starship have been reduced in size and repositioned closer to the tip of the vehicle, minimizing heat exposure and simplifying the protective tile design. Additionally, propulsion system modifications have increased the propellant volume by 25 percent, as reported by space.com. Enhanced heat shield tiles, featuring a backup layer to address potential damage, are also being tested during this flight.