Latest Developments
SpaceX’s Starship program hits another schedule snag as Booster 20 requires an additional round of testing before Flight 13 can proceed, pushing the target date to no earlier than Thursday, July 23. Meanwhile, legal pressure mounts on SpaceX’s South Texas operations as indigenous groups and conservationists file for an emergency injunction against a controversial land swap at Starbase. In a separate development, Elon Musk revealed SpaceX engineering data will be fed into xAI’s Grok model, marking an unprecedented cross-pollination between the rocket company and Musk’s AI venture. The Starlink constellation continues its steady growth with 12,552 satellites launched, 10,844 currently in orbit, and 10,828 operational.
Space Safety
The Starlink conjunction and reentry picture presents a notable spike in near-term risk, with two HIGH-risk events concentrated on a single conjunction between STARLINK-5262 and the operational MONOLITH satellite scheduled for July 26, 2026. The minimum range of 6 meters with a relative velocity of 5.794 km/s and maximum collision probability of 1.0 represents a critical conjunction requiring immediate monitoring and potential mitigation. Additionally, four Starlink satellites are predicted to reenter Earth’s atmosphere within the next four days, with decay windows ranging from 4 to 18 hours, indicating elevated but manageable reentry activity.
| Risk | Starlink Sat | Other Object | Status | Min Range (km) | Rel Speed (km/s) | Max Prob | Time of Closest Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIGH | STARLINK-5262 | MONOLITH | Operational | 0.006 | 5.794 | 1.0 | Jul 26, 04:05 UTC |
| HIGH | STARLINK-5262 | MONOLITH | Operational | 0.006 | 5.794 | 1.0 | Jul 26, 04:05 UTC |
| Satellite | NORAD ID | Predicted Decay | Window (min) | Inclination | Lat | Lon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STARLINK-2141 | 47731 | Jul 23, 20:16 UTC | 240 | 53.1° | 0.1° | 7° |
| STARLINK-1143 | 45179 | Jul 24, 18:26 UTC | 480 | 53.0° | -39.1° | 356.3° |
| STARLINK-1541 | 46052 | Jul 24, 22:41 UTC | 540 | 53.1° | -53.3° | 143.9° |
| STARLINK-1967 | 47568 | Jul 26, 10:18 UTC | 1080 | 53.0° | 51.3° | 40.9° |
Detailed Coverage
Booster 20 Faces Extra Testing Before Flight 13 Attempt
SpaceX will need to complete an additional test campaign on Booster 20 before clearing it for the Flight 13 launch attempt, according to NASASpaceFlight.com. The company continues to target no earlier than Thursday, July 23, though the added testing requirement suggests engineers identified something during pre-flight checks that warranted a closer look before committing to a launch date.
Flight 13 represents another critical milestone for the Starship V2/V3 transition, and any delay in booster qualification ripples through the broader test campaign timeline. Analysts tracking Starbase operations will be watching for updated static fire schedules and road closure notices as the new test window approaches.
Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight.com
Musk Feeds SpaceX Engineering Data Into Grok
Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX will provide proprietary engineering data to train the next iteration of Grok, xAI’s flagship AI model, giving the chatbot access to a trove of aerospace expertise unavailable to competing AI firms. Musk emphasized that only non-restricted material - excluding ITAR-controlled and classified defense-related content - would be shared with the model.
The move underscores the tightening integration between Musk’s various companies, raising questions among industry watchers about competitive advantages this could hand SpaceX and xAI in future engineering and autonomy applications, potentially including Starship’s guidance and re-entry systems.
Read the full story: TESLARATI
Emergency Injunction Filed Over Starbase Land Swap
A coalition of indigenous groups and environmental organizations has filed an emergency injunction seeking to halt a land exchange between SpaceX and the federal government in South Texas, arguing the swap threatens sacred sites and protected habitat near Starbase. The filing insists “the court has to intervene now,” framing the dispute as a test of federal accountability in fast-tracking SpaceX’s land acquisitions.
The legal challenge adds to a growing list of regulatory and environmental disputes surrounding Starbase’s expansion, following years of scrutiny over the site’s impact on the Boca Chica ecosystem and nearby communities. A ruling against SpaceX could complicate future launch pad construction and land-use plans tied to the Starship program’s scale-up.
Read the full story: Space.com
Constellation Status
The Starlink constellation has remained stable since the last check, with no new launches or orbital changes recorded. As of July 18, 2026, the constellation consists of 12,552 total satellites launched, 10,844 currently in orbit, 10,828 in working condition, and 1,708 that have decayed from orbit.
- Total Launched: 12552
- Total On Orbit: 10844
- Total Working: 10828
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Wondering about the totals? See how many Starlink satellites are in orbit, updated daily.
