UPDATE: SpaceX is set to launch the pivotal tenth test flight of its Starship rocket this Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET. This test comes after a series of failures have raised serious concerns about the rocket’s reliability and its ambitious goal of reaching Mars by 2026.
This flight is critical as SpaceX attempts to address the issues that plagued its previous launches, including the catastrophic breakup during reentry on May 27. Following an extensive investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which highlighted structural deficiencies linked to a methane and liquid oxygen ignition, SpaceX is implementing significant hardware and operational changes to increase the likelihood of success.
For the first time, the launch will feature 10 Starlink simulators, each designed to follow a suborbital trajectory and burn up upon reentry. This marks SpaceX’s fourth consecutive attempt at a payload deployment test, which has previously been hindered by anomalies.
In a shift from earlier flights, the Super Heavy booster will not attempt to land at the launch mount. Instead, it will target an offshore landing point in the Gulf of Mexico, where it will conduct a landing burn. During this descent, one of the three engines will shut down to test the backup engine’s capabilities, a crucial step in ensuring the rocket’s reliability for future missions.
SpaceX has also made notable modifications to Starship’s upper stage by removing several heat shield tiles. This will allow engineers to “stress-test vulnerable areas” during reentry, focusing on spots that showed weaknesses in previous tests.
The company has faced severe setbacks, including the explosion of a Starship prototype during preparations for this flight, which stemmed from damage to a composite overwrapped pressure vessel. To mitigate risks, SpaceX plans to operate these vessels at reduced pressure and implement rigorous inspections before loading reactive propellants.
Starship’s recent history has been tumultuous, with the seventh flight ending in an explosion, and the eighth flight suffering engine failures. The latest test in May saw the rocket reach its target velocity, only to lose control due to a propellant leak, resulting in another failure.
As the countdown to Flight 10 begins, SpaceX aims to break its losing streak and restore confidence in its flagship rocket. The launch will be streamed live on SpaceX’s website and their X account, providing fans and followers an opportunity to witness this significant moment in aerospace history.
With the stakes higher than ever, the world will be watching to see if SpaceX can deliver a successful flight and reignite hopes for future missions to Mars. Tune in this Sunday at 7:30 PM ET to catch all the action.
