SpaceX Dissects Starship Issues Ahead of Flight 10

Company shares findings from investigations into anomalies both in flight and on test stand.

Jack Daleo

Monday, August 18, 2025 at 03:37 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

SpaceX’s Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster could lift off on their tenth test flight as soon as this week. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX’s Starship is cleared for its 10th test flight by the FAA, following investigations into past anomalies including a test stand explosion and issues during three consecutive test flights.
The company identified root causes for recent failures, such as a damaged fuel tank pressurization system on Flight 9 and a compromised pressure vessel in a test stand explosion, and has implemented design changes and more rigorous testing.
Flight 10 aims to expand Starship's operational envelope through various engine and reentry experiments, crucial for SpaceX's long-term ambitions including NASA's lunar missions and future crewed Mars missions.

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SpaceX’s powerful Starship rocket is nearing a return to action following an explosion on the company’s test stand in Texas and anomalies during three consecutive test flights.

The FAA on Friday closed its mishap investigation into Starship Flight 9, during which the rocket reached orbit for the first time in 2025 but failed to hit its test objectives. That opens the door for another launch, which SpaceX is targeting for no earlier than 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.