SpaceX set for next Starship test flight after string of fiery failures

24 August 2025 , 11:34

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SpaceX set for next Starship test flight after string of fiery failures

SpaceX prepares for next test flight of Starship — the most powerful rocket in history

SpaceX is gearing up for another test launch of its mega-rocket Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built. Previous flights of the system have been marred by crashes and explosions, sparking concern among experts and even diplomatic tensions.

According to the company’s plans, the new uncrewed launch could take place as early as this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Starship will conduct a one-hour test flight to complete tasks that failed in the previous three missions.

Earlier attempts ended unsuccessfully: the rocket exploded over populated Caribbean islands, scattering debris across the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. In May, the vehicle lost control and crashed into the Indian Ocean. In June, one of the prototypes blew up during an engine test in Texas.

The string of incidents has drawn criticism of the company. Mexico raised the possibility of lawsuits over debris landing on its territory, while the UK said it was monitoring the safety of its overseas territories in the region.

Despite this, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the next launch, emphasizing that SpaceX had fixed the root cause of the last failure. The company made changes to the fuel system, which was believed to have caused the loss of control in flight.

Experts remain skeptical. “This may never work — or it could revolutionize our entire future in space, and geopolitics,” said former NASA astronaut and SpaceX advisor Garrett Reisman. He noted that the U.S. views Starship as a key part of the new space race with China and as the platform for returning humans to the Moon in 2027.

The new flight, known as “Flight 10,” will see the 122-meter rocket lift off from Texas for a series of tests. The Super Heavy booster is expected to splash down offshore, while the upper Starship vehicle will deploy eight satellite “simulators” into orbit and attempt an in-space engine relight. None of these objectives has yet been achieved successfully.

SpaceX has made clear that the current version of Starship will eventually be replaced with an even larger, more powerful iteration. “Every lesson from testing helps refine the design,” the company said.

Meanwhile, NASA has confirmed it is betting heavily on Starship. Former acting administrator Janet Petro said she is “fully confident” in SpaceX’s success. Yet even within Musk’s own team, skepticism remains: “The laws of financial physics still apply,” Reisman cautioned, pointing to the enormous cost of development.

The success or failure of Starship will determine not only the future of SpaceX but also U.S. ambitions in space — from NASA’s lunar program to Musk’s plan to send a spacecraft to Mars in 2026.

Elizabeth Baker

Technology & Business Editor