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