SpaceX scrubs launch for Starship's 10th test flight
BOCA CHICA BEACH, TEXAS - MARCH 03: SpaceX Starship Flight 8 is stationed near Orbital Launch Pad A ahead of launch at Boca Chica beach on March 03, 2025 in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has granted clearance for
BOCA CHICA, Texas - SpaceX was preparing for the tenth flight test of its Starship spacecraft, with a launch window set to open as early as Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CDT from its Starbase facility in Texas. The official SpaceX account on social media announced that they were standing down for Sunday's launch at 6:13 p.m. CST.
SpaceX Starship Launch
The launch, which follows investigations into the loss of a Starship during a previous flight and a static fire anomaly, includes hardware and operational changes aimed at increasing reliability.
SpaceX explosion: Starship explodes prior to static fire test at Starbase facility
Officials say a SpaceX's Starship suffered a catastrophic failure and exploded just after 11 p.m. Wednesday prior to a static fire test.
What they're saying:
During the test, the Super Heavy booster will attempt a series of flight experiments on a trajectory toward a landing point in the Gulf. Unlike previous missions, it will not return to the launch site for a catch. The booster's primary test objectives will focus on its landing burn, including a test of backup engine functionality by intentionally disabling one of the three center engines. The booster will then transition to two engines for a final hover before dropping into the ocean.
Following stage separation, the Starship upper stage will aim for several in-space objectives. It plans to deploy eight Starlink simulators, which are expected to burn up upon reentry. A relight of a single Raptor engine is also planned while in space.
SpaceX Starship lifts off from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, for its sixth flight test on November 19, 2024. SpaceX aborted an attempt to catch the first stage booster of its Starship megarocket in the "chopstick" arms of its launch tower, opting in
The upper stage's reentry will include several experiments to gather data for future design improvements. A number of heat shield tiles have been intentionally removed to test vulnerable areas, and different metallic tile options, including one with active cooling, will be tested. The test is also designed to stress the structural limits of the rear flaps during reentry.
SpaceX said the dynamic nature of developmental testing means the schedule is subject to change. A live webcast of the flight test was scheduled to begin about 30 minutes before liftoff before the social media account post this:
The Source: Information in this article is from SpaceX.