Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is eyeing an August launch window for the long-awaited 10th orbital flight of its next-generation Starship rocket, as indicated by the company’s recent static fire test of the spacecraft.
In a Friday post on X, SpaceX announced it had conducted a “full-duration static fire” of the Starship vehicle designated for Flight 10 — Ship 37. The successful engine test marks a major milestone in the lead-up to the spacecraft’s next orbital flight, which could potentially take place within the next couple of weeks.
This static fire test was conducted right after SpaceX launched the Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station on Friday, further showcasing the company’s aggressive launch cadence and its ability to multitask across major programs.
Ship 37’s successful static fire is particularly noteworthy given that its predecessor, Ship 36, suffered a fiery failure during its static fire test back in June. That vehicle was originally intended for Flight 10, but the failed test forced SpaceX to regroup and pivot to the current hardware. Despite the setback, the Starship program appears to be back on track.
While no specific launch date has been announced just yet, all signs point to a potential liftoff later this month. We should learn more in the coming weeks as SpaceX works through pre-launch checkouts and regulatory clearances.
Once operational, Starship is expected to play a central role in NASA’s Artemis program and serve as the backbone of SpaceX’s Mars colonization ambitions. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to Starship Flight 10’s liftoff.
