SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 10 Test Launch on August 24

SpaceX is scheduled to launch its tenth Starship test flight on Sunday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT) from its Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas. The launch window extends for one hour, providing flexibility for the mission.

This test follows a series of previous flights in 2025, each ending with the loss of the upper stage. Notably, Flight 9 in May concluded with the Starship upper stage breaking apart approximately 45 minutes into flight. Additionally, in June, Ship 36, originally slated for Flight 10, was destroyed during a ground test due to an anomaly.

The upcoming mission will feature Booster 16 and Ship 37, both Block 2 variants of the Starship system. Key objectives include deploying eight Starlink satellite mass simulators, performing an in-space Raptor engine relight, and attempting controlled splashdowns: the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico and the Starship upper stage in the Indian Ocean.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concluded its investigation into the Flight 9 anomaly, clearing the way for this launch. The FAA stated, "The FAA-required investigation of the SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mishap is closed. There are no reports of public injury or damage to public property."

SpaceX has implemented hardware and operational changes aimed at improving Starship’s reliability. The company plans to test the limits of the Super Heavy booster on a descent that will see it land in the Gulf rather than try to land back at its launch tower.

The success of this test is critical for SpaceX's role in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2027. A modified version of Starship is slated to serve as the human landing system for the Artemis 3 mission.

SpaceX will provide a live stream of the launch on its X account and website, allowing the public to follow the mission in real-time.