posted 06-19-2025 09:10 AM               

Please use this topic to discuss the development of SpaceX's Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicle through its integrated flights tests 10 and onwards.

For discussion of the first nine test flights, see here.

posted 06-19-2025 09:13 AM               

On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase. A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for.

Our Starbase team is actively working to safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area in conjunction with local officials. There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.

posted 06-19-2025 03:32 PM               

Starship Static Fire Update

On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced an anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase.

After completing a single-engine static fire earlier this week, the vehicle was in the process of loading cryogenic propellant for a six-engine static fire when a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the stand. The explosion ignited several fires at the test site which remains clear of personnel and will be assessed once it has been determined to be safe to approach. Individuals should not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue.

As is the case before any test, a safety zone was established around the test site and was maintained throughout the operation. There are no reported injuries, and all personnel are safe and accounted for.

There are no hazards to the surrounding communities in the Rio Grande Valley. Previous independent tests conducted on materials inside Starship, including toxicity analyses, confirm they pose no chemical, biological, or toxicological risks. SpaceX is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, as appropriate, on matters concerning environmental and safety impacts.

Engineering teams are actively investigating the incident and will follow established procedures to determine root cause. Initial analysis indicates the potential failure of a pressurized tank known as a COPV, or composite overwrapped pressure vessel, containing gaseous nitrogen in Starship's nosecone area, but the full data review is ongoing. There is no commonality between the COPVs used on Starship and SpaceX's Falcon rockets.

The SpaceX team would like to thank officials and residents in the surrounding Rio Grande Valley communities for their support, particularly first responders who have assisted since shortly after the anomaly took place.

posted 06-19-2025 05:02 PM               

Preliminary data suggests that a nitrogen COPV in the payload bay failed below its proof pressure.

If further investigation confirms that this is what happened, it is the first time ever for this design.

posted 08-13-2025 03:00 PM               

The first grid fin for the next generation Super Heavy booster. The redesigned grid fins are 50% larger and higher strength, moving from four fins to three for vehicle control while enabling the booster to descend at higher angles of attack.

posted 08-15-2025 10:25 AM               

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement

FAA Closes SpaceX Starship Flight 9 Mishap Investigation, Flight 10 Can Proceed

The FAA-required investigation of the SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mishap is closed. There are no reports of public injury or damage to public property. The FAA oversaw and accepted the findings of the SpaceX-led investigation. The final mishap report cites the probable root cause for the loss of the Starship vehicle as a failure of a fuel component. SpaceX identified corrective actions to prevent a reoccurrence of the event.

SpaceX can now proceed with Starship Flight 10 launch operations under its current license.

posted 08-24-2025 05:38 PM               

Standing down from today's (Aug. 24) tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems.

posted 08-25-2025 06:24 PM               

Standing down from today's flight test attempt due to weather. Starship team is determining the next best available opportunity to fly.