SpaceX Intensifies Preparations with Test Fire for Starship Flight 10

This is not investment advice. The author holds no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

Following a setback in June when an explosion destroyed a Starship upper stage rocket during testing, SpaceX has resumed test firings at its Boca Chica, Texas launch pad. The explosion caused the loss of specialized ground facilities, prompting the company to create a custom test area for future evaluations. Earlier today, SpaceX conducted a successful test fire of a Starship upper stage rocket, marking a significant milestone in their development cycle.

SpaceX Accelerates Testing for Starship Flight 10

Local media captured the moment when SpaceX ignited the Starship upper stage rocket for approximately six seconds. This test was particularly noteworthy as it involved all six engines of the Starship, following a single engine firing conducted the previous day to replicate an in-space Raptor ignition scenario.

Today’s testing arrives a month and a half after the catastrophic incident in June, which was triggered during propellant loading for a static fire test. The present rocket is among the final second-generation Starship upper stages, which SpaceX plans to test to its maximum capacity in the upcoming Flight 10.

The Starship Flight 7 booster during its static fire for Flight 9 in April. Image: SpaceX

Following Flight 10, SpaceX anticipates that Flight 11 will mark the final test utilizing this second-generation upper stage. This design iteration has faced its share of challenges, including multiple failures along with a single partially successful flight. Notably, the rocket has completed three flights this year, with the last being the first to successfully enter the intended flight trajectory.

For Flight 10, SpaceX is expected to experiment with new heat shield tiles, hardware for catching the rocket on the launch pad, and satellite deployment capabilities. The success of this test is critical for achieving key developmental goals for the Starship program, such as facilitating the rapid reuse of the spacecraft, lowering launch costs, and supporting NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon through in-space propellant refueling.

Given the lapse of over two months since Flight 9, SpaceX is eager to proceed with Flight 10. If no major issues arise during this mission, the firm plans to quickly conduct additional tests on the ship and booster for Flight 11, as they streamline their second-generation rocket inventory and prepare for third-generation vehicles in future Starship test flights.

STATIC FIRE! Ship 37 fires up in what should be the final SF ahead of Flight 10.@elonmusk noted that they are tracking mid-August for launch. They will need to dismantle the mods to Pad 1 before they can full-stack B16 and S37.https://t.co/hNkpjTf52r pic.twitter.com/syzPBhyEkt

— NSF – NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) August 1, 2025