SpaceX Falcon 9 to Launch 29 Starlinks and 2 Chip Test Beds on July 6
Updated
Updated · Spaceflight Now · Jul 4
SpaceX Falcon 9 to Launch 29 Starlinks and 2 Chip Test Beds on July 6
2 articles · Updated · Spaceflight Now · Jul 4
Summary
Sunday’s Starlink 10-50 mission will give Besxar Space Industries its first in-flight semiconductor test, with two Clipper Class pods riding the Falcon 9 first stage on an 8-minute, 19-second suborbital trip.
The Washington startup wants to use space’s vacuum to make ultra-pure semiconductor substrates and precursor materials, arguing Earth-based fabs are hitting limits in vacuum quality, yields, power and cooling.
The microwave-sized pods will carry terrestrial-made wafers to see whether they survive launch, space exposure and reentry without cracking, a step Besxar says is key to refining its manufacturing process.
Liftoff from Cape Canaveral is set for 6:46 a.m. EDT with an 85% chance of favorable weather; the second stage is due to deploy 29 Starlink satellites 1 hour, 3 minutes and 31 seconds later.
The flight starts a broader campaign Besxar outlined in October 2025, when it booked 12 Falcon 9 missions; for SpaceX, it marks the company’s 62nd Starlink delivery launch of 2026.