SpaceX fired up the Super Heavy booster for six seconds at their test site. Local news cameras caught the static fire test happening just days after Starship Flight 9. Elon Musk posted on X that the test prepares for the next Starship mission. The company wants to speed up their rocket testing after slower progress during 2025. Flight 10 could happen soon if everything goes well.
Flight 9 happened three months after Flight 8 failed completely. The second-stage ship flew into orbit and stayed there for a short time. Tank pressure problems caused the ship to lose control during reentry. SpaceX could not test the new heat shield tiles or catch equipment. The catch system matters because it helps reuse rockets and cut launch costs.
The Super Heavy booster performed much better than the ship during Flight 9. SpaceX reused a booster for the first time on this mission. The rocket used a new flight path with controlled separation and steeper reentry angle. Only two test goals failed during the booster landing burn and water splashdown. SpaceX moved another ship to testing areas but has not confirmed which one flies next.
Flight 9 happened three months after Flight 8 failed completely. The second-stage ship flew into orbit and stayed there for a short time. Tank pressure problems caused the ship to lose control during reentry. SpaceX could not test the new heat shield tiles or catch equipment. The catch system matters because it helps reuse rockets and cut launch costs.
The Super Heavy booster performed much better than the ship during Flight 9. SpaceX reused a booster for the first time on this mission. The rocket used a new flight path with controlled separation and steeper reentry angle. Only two test goals failed during the booster landing burn and water splashdown. SpaceX moved another ship to testing areas but has not confirmed which one flies next.
