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:
- SpaceX IFT-10 Mission Overview

Wikipedia: Starship Flight Test 10

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