Giant rocket is headed for a new test flight after a series of explosive missteps and failures.
Texas – SpaceX is preparing for the 10th test flight of its massive Starship rocket this Sunday evening, marking a critical step in the development of the world’s most powerful launch vehicle. The liftoff, originating from the Starbase facility near Brownsville, Texas, is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. ET, contingent upon favorable weather.
The Starship stack comprises a 232-foot Super Heavy booster and a 171-foot Starship upper stage. This flight aims to execute several challenging milestones: separation of the two stages, deployment of eight Starlink satellite simulators, a soft water landing of the booster in the Gulf of Mexico, and atmospheric re-entry testing of heat-shield tiles and control flaps.
SpaceX is moving forward despite a series of setbacks this year. Three recent flights ended in explosions over the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Indian Ocean. Additionally, a June ground test explosion further disrupted progress.
The latest test will avoid attempting to catch the booster — a feat previously accomplished — and instead focus on collecting performance data through controlled descent and backup engine testing.
This test will be scrutinized not just for its technical outcomes but also for its broader implications. SpaceX and NASA have an ambitious timeline: uncrewed lunar missions as early as 2026 and crewed Mars missions by 2029, with Starship serving as the centerpiece.
