Musk: Starship Could Fly Again Next Week After Back-to-Back Explosions

Hulking spacecraft nears a return to action, the SpaceX CEO says.

Jack Daleo

Friday, May 16, 2025 at 07:30 AM ET

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Jack Daleo

Starship Flight 9 could see SpaceX attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster, a feat it has achieved on three of its past four test flights. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's Starship rocket, having completed static fire tests and cleared previous FAA mishap investigations, is preparing for its ninth flight test as early as next week.
Primary objectives for the upcoming flight include attempting to "catch" the reusable Super Heavy booster and demonstrating an on-orbit engine relight, crucial for future lunar missions.
SpaceX aims to prove the full reusability of both Starship stages and increase launch cadence to meet ambitious goals, including supporting NASA's Artemis III moon landing and expanding launch facilities.

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SpaceX’s colossal Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster—which stand nearly as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza when stacked—could fly again as soon as next week, according to CEO Elon Musk.

Musk made the prediction Tuesday in a post on social media platform X, replying to SpaceX’s post that Starship completed static fire engine testing and is “undergoing final preparations for the ninth flight test.”