SpaceX Plans Starship Flight 10 Test Launch on August 24
Upcoming SpaceX Starship Test Flight Set for August 24
SpaceX is preparing for its 10th integrated test flight of the Starship launch vehicle, which could take place as soon as August 24 from the company’s Starbase in Texas. The launch window is scheduled to open at 7:30 p.m. EDT (23:30 GMT). The company announced this date recently, a week later than initially expected, after its CEO Elon Musk predicted a launch within three weeks earlier this month.
Launch preparations are underway at Starbase, where the fully stacked Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage stand approximately 394 feet (120 meters) tall. Flight 10 will involve Booster 16 and Ship 37, both Block 2 variants, with incremental upgrades introduced for each mission.
This upcoming flight marks the fourth launch of 2025 for Starship. Past flights this year faced challenges, including the loss of the upper stage in each attempt. These setbacks have increased pressure to complete the vehicle’s development, especially as it prepares to serve as a lunar lander for NASA’s Artemis 3 mission to the Moon, planned for 2027.
Following a previous successful launch on May 27, where the Ship upper stage was released into space, SpaceX encountered difficulties. A static fire test at Starbase on June 18 resulted in an explosion, damaging Ship 36—originally scheduled for this flight—and impacting infrastructure.
Investigation into these incidents has been completed. For the upcoming flight, Starship will deploy eight Starlink satellite simulators, perform engine relight maneuvers in orbit, and attempt a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The booster, Booster 16, will return for a controlled landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Progress and Future Goals
Although several test flights have seen partial successes—such as successfully catching a Super Heavy booster with SpaceX’s “Mechazilla” arm—none have yet fulfilled all the mission objectives from launch to splashdown. SpaceX continues to refine its reusable rocket technology as it works toward operational readiness.
Developing Starship is central to Elon Musk’s vision of making humanity multiplanetary by establishing a human presence on Mars, as well as supporting NASA’s efforts to return astronauts to the Moon for ongoing exploration.