SpaceX Prepares 10th Starship Test After Prior Flights End in Explosions

(STARBASE, TEXAS) SpaceX plans the 10th integrated test flight of Starship on August 24, 2025, using Booster 16 and Ship 37, both Block 2 variants, during a launch window opening at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT). The company aims to show progress after a run of painful losses this year and to steady a program that NASA relies on for the Artemis lunar effort. The FAA has closed its investigation and cleared Flight 10, confirming safety and environmental requirements have been met. VisaVerge.com reports that the FAA’s clearance followed multi‑agency reviews tied to recent mishaps.

Flight 10 plan and sequence

The Flight 10 plan is direct and sequenced:

1. Final integration and testing at Starbase, Texas.
2. Liftoff when the window opens.
3. Stage separation.
4. Deployment of payload simulators and an in‑space Raptor relight.
5. Controlled splashdowns for both stages.
6. Post‑flight data analysis with regulators.

Specifically, after liftoff Ship 37 will attempt to deploy eight Starlink satellite mass simulators, perform an in‑space Raptor engine relight, and then target a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Booster 16 will aim for a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. These steps reflect the Block 2 objectives SpaceX shared: validate relight capability, prove stable deployments, and collect splashdown and reentry data.

Recent setbacks and mitigations

The context is sobering. The last three Starship flights in 2025 ended with the loss of the upper stage.

• On May 27, Flight 9 reached space but lost control and broke apart during reentry.
• On June 18, Ship 36—originally slated for Flight 10—exploded during a static fire at the Massey test site.

Investigators from the FAA, SpaceX, NASA, and other agencies traced the June 18 event to a COPV (composite overwrapped pressure vessel) failure in Ship 36’s nosecone. In response, SpaceX implemented several key changes:

• Lowered COPV operating pressures
• Added protective covers
• Installed new inspection protocols

Those changes were pivotal in clearing the path to Flight 10.

The FAA’s clearance followed multi‑agency reviews and confirms safety and environmental requirements have been met.

NASA and Artemis implications

NASA continues to watch closely because Starship is central to the Artemis 3 mission, now planned for 2027. Officials have flagged schedule pressure caused by Starship’s pace, especially around the demonstration of on‑orbit cryogenic propellant transfer, now expected in Fiscal Year 2026.

• This milestone is essential for refueling the Human Landing System (HLS) variant that will ferry astronauts to the lunar surface.
• Every month of delay tightens the margin for testing, validation, and crew readiness.
• A clean Flight 10 would not solve every scheduling challenge but would steady the program and build confidence for the chain of tests that must follow.

Elon Musk has adjusted expectations for the first attempt to “catch” a returning Starship with the launch tower, moving it to the first half of 2026 instead of late 2025. Industry observers note the hardest remaining problems are upper stage reliability during reentry and propellant transfer capability.

FAA oversight and community impact

FAA oversight matters to communities around Starbase. The agency’s role after the June explosion highlights how environmental and public safety reviews shape launch cadence.

• The FAA has now cleared Flight 10, but SpaceX still must demonstrate that COPV protections and inspection steps perform under flight conditions.
• Data from Flight 10 will guide future approvals as Block 2 hardware scales up.
• The FAA’s approach—expedited licensing paired with strict safety and environmental review—reflects the tension between advancing commercial spaceflight and protecting the public and environment after high‑profile failures.

Technical focus: reusability and in‑space capability

Ship 37’s target splashdown in the Indian Ocean and Booster 16’s aim for the Gulf of Mexico are central to measuring progress toward reusability. Controlled water entries allow engineers to assess:

• Heating and thermal protection performance
• Guidance and control during reentry
• Hardware durability and recovery potential

The in‑space Raptor relight is another critical test. Reliable engine restarts enable complex missions, from satellite deployments to lunar operations and propellant transfer sequences.

Workforce and immigration stakes

For the workforce that powers American space projects, Flight 10 is more than a test — it’s a signal about near‑term demand and hiring timelines that draw global talent to the United States 🇺🇸.

• When Starship moves forward, employers are more likely to green‑light roles in propulsion, structures, avionics, materials, and flight software.
• When the program stalls, hiring managers may delay offers or shift start dates, affecting visa plans and family timelines.

For engineers and scientists abroad who hope to join U.S. space projects, timing counts. Employers often align start dates to test windows; a slip can shift job offers or location plans. Candidates with families should keep travel and schooling flexible when a major flight is near.

One common immigration path for high‑achieving specialists is the O‑1 classification. Government guidance on this category is here: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement. While every case differs, a strong record—publications, patents, major awards, or key roles on notable projects—can help. Employers should plan early for:

• Evidence collection
• Peer recommendation letters
• Timelines matched to program needs (without rushing filings)

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, readers track major aerospace tests closely when planning careers and immigration moves, seeking clear signals on hiring cycles to avoid last‑minute changes.

What to watch on launch day

• Launch window: Opens at 7:30 p.m. EDT (2330 GMT) on August 24, 2025, from Starbase, Texas.
• Flight objectives: Deployment of eight Starlink mass simulators by Ship 37, an in‑space Raptor relight, and controlled splashdowns for both stages.
• Safety backdrop: FAA clearance followed completed investigations into Flight 9’s reentry loss and the Ship 36 COPV failure.
• Program signals: A stable ascent, clean separation, successful relight, and controlled entries would indicate progress toward reliable operations. Conversely, another loss of the upper stage would maintain pressure on reentry work and extend timelines for later milestones.

After the flight, SpaceX and regulators will analyze data to judge how well Block 2 upgrades performed.

• A positive outcome would support plans for Flight 11 and keep the door open for the first tower catch attempt in the first half of 2026.
• A rough result would likely prompt more ground tests and changes before cadence can rise.

Closing takeaway

The stakes are high for Artemis and for the broader U.S. space workforce. NASA’s current plan aims at a 2027 lunar landing, but that depends on SpaceX meeting key goals—especially propellant transfer and safe reentries—within the next year. Progress on Flight 10 won’t finish the job, yet a clean, data‑rich test could restore momentum inside SpaceX and NASA and help employers and global talent make timely, informed decisions about roles that could shape the next decade of human spaceflight.

For now, all eyes are on Starship, Booster 16, and Ship 37. A clear test would lift confidence and provide critical data for the path ahead.