SpaceX is set to launch its tenth test flight of the Starship rocket from its facility in southern Texas, with the mission tentatively scheduled for August 24, 2025. This flight follows several recent setbacks, including technical issues during previous missions and an explosion that destroyed a test vehicle.
The upcoming test will utilize Ship 37 as the upper stage and Booster 16 for the flight, which will commence during a one-hour window starting at 6:30 p.m. CDT (7:30 p.m. EDT / 23:30 UTC). SpaceX aims to address challenges encountered in the last three test flights, including failures linked to the upper stage and fuel tank systems.
Significantly, the mission will continue testing the Super Heavy booster’s capabilities, with plans for multiple landing burn tests. SpaceX has indicated that one of the primary objectives is to deploy a payload consisting of eight Starlink simulators, designed to mimic the size of the forthcoming third-generation satellites for the company’s low Earth orbit broadband constellation.
Several challenges have plagued prior flights, particularly the most recent, Flight 9, which took place on May 27, 2025. A post-flight evaluation revealed that Ship 35 was lost due to a malfunction in the main fuel tank pressurization system. SpaceX detailed that a failure in the fuel diffuser canister, located within the vehicle’s nosecone, led to an inability to maintain proper pressure levels, ultimately causing a loss of control and preventing the deployment of the payload.
Experts at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center described the role of the fuel diffuser as critical for controlling gas flow and preventing excessive heat transfer that could compromise pressurization. SpaceX’s fuel tanks employ autogenous pressurization, which relies on the warming of liquid methane during flight. This method contrasts with the pre-launch phase, where gaseous nitrogen is used for pressurization.
During Flight 9, approximately three minutes into the engine burn after stage separation, sensors in the nosecone detected rising methane levels. This surge led to a rapid decrease in main fuel tank pressure, which the Starship’s systems compensated for. However, unusual pressure dynamics in the nosecone ultimately caused the vehicle to lose attitude control, culminating in the failure of the payload deployment mechanism.
In addition to issues with Flight 9, further complications arose during ground testing. On June 18, 2025, Ship 36 exploded during fuel loading, attributed to undetected damage in a composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) located in the payload bay. In response, SpaceX has revised its testing protocols, implementing reduced operational pressures on COPVs and enhanced inspection methods to detect internal damage.
To facilitate upcoming test flights, SpaceX has established a new rig for the Orbital Launch Mount, allowing for fueling and static fire tests at the launch site. Prior to the planned mission, Ship 37 underwent extensive testing, including successful static fire tests on August 1 and August 3, 2025.
If Ship 37 successfully completes its planned milestones, it will mark the first controlled atmospheric reentry for the Block 2 version of Starship, a significant achievement given the failures of prior tests. The upcoming flight is also expected to provide critical data regarding experimental heat shield tiles, including one designed with active cooling.
The performance of the Super Heavy booster used in Flight 9 presented a mixed outcome. SpaceX successfully executed a controlled flip maneuver with Booster 14, reducing the need for propellant reserves during flight. However, complications during the landing burn resulted in an explosion due to structural failures exacerbated by increased aerodynamic forces.
The booster designated for Flight 10, Booster 16, will attempt an aquatic landing, with plans to utilize two out of three center engines to gather data on the landing capabilities of backup engines. This approach is intended to improve the reliability of future booster landings.
The delays in the Starship program have significant implications for SpaceX and its government partners, particularly NASA. Following Flight 9, SpaceX founder Elon Musk expressed intentions to meet upcoming milestones, including the development of the version 3 Starship for deep space missions. However, the company has consistently faced challenges in adhering to its projected timelines.
During a recent meeting with NASA officials, concerns were raised regarding the upcoming demonstration for on-orbit propellant transfer, initially slated for the first half of 2025. NASA’s acting associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development, Lori Glaze, indicated that the timeline for this critical demonstration is slipping, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring of SpaceX’s progress.
Despite these setbacks, NASA leadership has expressed confidence in SpaceX’s ability to recover from difficulties. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy noted that the company has a track record of overcoming challenges and achieving its goals, fostering optimism for the future of the Starship program.
As SpaceX continues its preparations for the tenth Starship test flight, all eyes will be on the mission to determine whether it can meet its objectives and pave the way for subsequent advancements in space exploration.
