SpaceX Starship IFT-10 [Live: 25.08.25; 23:30 UTC]
Update 26.08.25: New date: 25.08.25; 23:30 UTC
Update 26.08.25: Launch scrubbed due to anvil cloud rule
Update 25.08.25: New date: 25.08.25; 23:30 UTC
Update 25.08.25: Launch scrubbed due to ground systems issue.
The Integrated Flight Test 10 (IFT-10) of SpaceX’s Starship program is scheduled for August 24, 2025, marking the second-to-last flight of the Version 2 (V2) Starship spacecraft. This test will launch from Pad 1 at Starbase, Texas, which may be decommissioned after the final V2 flight due to incompatible umbilical connection points with the upcoming booster and ship designs. A second launch pad is under construction to support future operations. Below is a detailed breakdown of the mission.
Mission Details
- Launch Date: August 24, 2025
- Launch Window: 60 minutes
- Flight Trajectory: Similar to IFT-9, with the Starship spacecraft targeting a landing in the Indian Ocean (ideally near Australia) and the Super Heavy booster landing in the Gulf of Mexico, close to shore.
- Booster Landing: The booster will not be caught by the launch tower but will perform a landing in the Gulf of Mexico. The test includes a challenging flight envelope, with one of the three engines for the landing burn intentionally shut off to evaluate backup engine performance.
- Payload: 8 Starlink simulators (~16,000 kg), designed to mimic the size and deployment mechanism of next-generation Starlink satellites.
- Test Objectives:
- Evaluate new heat shield tiles during reentry, with some tiles intentionally removed for stress testing.
- Collect data on new flap designs, with rear flaps subjected to stress testing.
- Assess the survivability of new catchpoints during reentry.
Sources:
Starship Program Timeline
The following table outlines the timeline of Starship’s Integrated Flight Tests, highlighting test dates, intervals, and vehicle versions:
| Test | Date | Days Elapsed | Version Booster | Version Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFT-1 | 20.04.23 | - | V1 – B7 | V1 – S24 |
| IFT-2 | 18.11.23 | 212 | V1 – B9 | V1 – S25 |
| IFT-3 | 14.03.24 | 117 | V1 – B10 | V1 – S28 |
| IFT-4 | 06.06.24 | 84 | V1 – B11 | V1 – S29 |
| IFT-5 | 13.10.24 | 129 | V1 – B12 | V1 – S30 |
| IFT-6 | 19.11.24 | 37 | V1 – B13 | V1 – S31 |
| IFT-7 | 16.01.25 | 58 | V2 – B14(1) | V2 – S33 |
| IFT-8 | 06.03.25 | 49 | V2 – B15 | V2 – S34 |
| IFT-9 | 27.03.25 | 82 | V2 – B14(2) | V2 – S35 |
| IFT-10 | 24.08.25 | 150 | V2 – B16 | V2 – S37 |
The 150-day gap between IFT-9 and IFT-10 is attributed to an explosion of Ship 36 on the test stand, requiring SpaceX to investigate and develop a new test rig for Pad 1 (SpaceX Flight 9 and Ship 36 Report).
Starship Specifications
The Starship system, comprising the spacecraft and Super Heavy booster, is designed for full reusability and large-scale payload delivery. Key specifications are as follows:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Stack | |
| Height | 123 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
| Payload Capacity (Reusable) | 100–150 t |
| Starship Spacecraft | |
| Height | 52 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
| Super Heavy Booster | |
| Height | 71 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
Source: SpaceX Starship Overview
NASASpaceflight Update
SpaceX Starship Faces Critical Flight 10 Test | This Week In Spaceflight
Pushed to the Limit - SpaceX's Starship Raptor Engines
Live streams
- SpaceX Twitter
- Tim Dodd - [4K] Watch the largest and most powerful rocket launch live! Starship Flight 10
- Ellie in Space and Joe Tegtmeyer - Starship Flight 10 LIVE with Joe Tegtmeyer
- NASASpaceflight - SpaceX Starship Flight 10
- LabPadre Space - LIVE - Starship Flight 10 Commentary - LabPadre Space
- Senkrechtstarter (German only) - LIVE: Starship Start IFT 10 SpaceX Raketenstart | gelingt nach Ship Fehlerserie der V2 Durchbruch?
More Information
Tim Dodd was lucky enough to get three guided tours around Starbase by Elon Musk:
Tour 2024:
- First Look Inside SpaceX's Starfactory w/ Elon Musk
- Join Elon Musk on a tour of Starship just before it launches! (w/ post launch interview)
Tour 2022:
- 2022 Elon Musk Explains Updates To Starship And Starbase!
- Go up SpaceX's Starship-catching robotic launch tower with Elon Musk!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Merlin Engine!
- Elon Musk Explains SpaceX's Raptor Engine!
Tour 2021:
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 1 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Tour with Elon Musk [PART 2 // Summer 2021]
- Starbase Launchpad Tour with Elon Musk [PART 3 // Summer 2021]
Tim Dodd: How SpaceX Is Upgrading Raptor To Be The Ultimate Rocket Engine!
Elon Musk: The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary
Further information
StarshipGazer.com: Useful Starship links
Background information about previous SpaceX launches: Wikipedia
FAA: SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site
FAA: Licensed Launches
Starship OFT flight plan
Lex Fridman: Starship: The most powerful rocket ever made | Tim Dodd and Lex Fridman
SpaceX Starship Explosive Potential, and Big Bang Theory
Tim Dodd made a video contrasting Starship V1 and V2:
What's new with Flight 7's massively upgraded Starship?!?
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